shocker1
12-12-2006, 10:11 AM
US Politicians: Tehran Winner of Iran-US Confrontation
TEHRAN (Fars News Agency)- The report issued last week by the blue-ribbon Iraq Study Group provides fresh proof of Iran's strengthened hand in the Middle East since the US-led invasion. It mentions the Islamic Republic more than 50 times and makes clear that the US will have to seek Iran's help for any resolution.
http://media.farsnews.com/Media/8312/Images/jpg/A0087/A0087080.jpg
The Bush administration no longer has much leverage to stop Iran from pursuing uranium enrichment technology, diplomats and analysts said.
And the price of cooperation, Mustapha Alani, director of security and terrorism studies at the Gulf Research Institute, an independent think tank in Dubai, said will be very high: "They are looking for a grand bargain that includes the nuclear issue, recognition of their influence and position in Iraq, and their position in the balance of power in the region."
Far from spreading democracy through the region, the Iraq war has strengthened the Islamic Republic of Iran.
"So far, Iran won the Iraq war," said George Perkovich, the vice-president for studies at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.
He added that the US hand was already weak on the nuclear issue because of Russia's reluctance to go along with sanctions against the Islamic Republic. But the report makes clear that Iran has substantial leverage in any negotiation because of its importance in helping to quell the spiraling civil war in Iraq, he said.
Israel views the situation with alarm. "The idea was to make Iraq a partner in the moderate Arab camp. Instead, it has come under the influence of Iran, a state that calls for Israel's destruction," said Ephraim Sneh, Israel's deputy defense minister.
Underpinning Iran's increased clout are the US failures in Iraq, where Iran has long exercised influence, and deft diplomacy by Iran around the nuclear issue. In a region dominated by Sunni Muslim governments, Shiite-ruled Iran has set itself up as a leader in the confrontation between Islam and the West.
Western diplomats are reluctant to describe Iran as a victor but concede that for the moment, at least, it looks that way. "Iran won the first round," said a senior Western diplomat in an Arab state. http://www.farsnews.com/English/newstext.php?nn=8509210522
TEHRAN (Fars News Agency)- The report issued last week by the blue-ribbon Iraq Study Group provides fresh proof of Iran's strengthened hand in the Middle East since the US-led invasion. It mentions the Islamic Republic more than 50 times and makes clear that the US will have to seek Iran's help for any resolution.
http://media.farsnews.com/Media/8312/Images/jpg/A0087/A0087080.jpg
The Bush administration no longer has much leverage to stop Iran from pursuing uranium enrichment technology, diplomats and analysts said.
And the price of cooperation, Mustapha Alani, director of security and terrorism studies at the Gulf Research Institute, an independent think tank in Dubai, said will be very high: "They are looking for a grand bargain that includes the nuclear issue, recognition of their influence and position in Iraq, and their position in the balance of power in the region."
Far from spreading democracy through the region, the Iraq war has strengthened the Islamic Republic of Iran.
"So far, Iran won the Iraq war," said George Perkovich, the vice-president for studies at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.
He added that the US hand was already weak on the nuclear issue because of Russia's reluctance to go along with sanctions against the Islamic Republic. But the report makes clear that Iran has substantial leverage in any negotiation because of its importance in helping to quell the spiraling civil war in Iraq, he said.
Israel views the situation with alarm. "The idea was to make Iraq a partner in the moderate Arab camp. Instead, it has come under the influence of Iran, a state that calls for Israel's destruction," said Ephraim Sneh, Israel's deputy defense minister.
Underpinning Iran's increased clout are the US failures in Iraq, where Iran has long exercised influence, and deft diplomacy by Iran around the nuclear issue. In a region dominated by Sunni Muslim governments, Shiite-ruled Iran has set itself up as a leader in the confrontation between Islam and the West.
Western diplomats are reluctant to describe Iran as a victor but concede that for the moment, at least, it looks that way. "Iran won the first round," said a senior Western diplomat in an Arab state. http://www.farsnews.com/English/newstext.php?nn=8509210522