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IRAN UPDATENews and comment on the diplomatic movements over Iran's nuclear programmeNo. 73 - 1 December 2006 If you do not want to receive this update please send an email to request removal from the list. Feedback on format and content is also gladly received. Please e-mail comments by reply to Carlos Coke on iran at basicint.org An archive of previous Iran Updates is available at: http://www.basicint.org/updates/iran.htm. SUMMARY
Despite Washington’s preoccupation with the worsening situation in Iraq, Iran’s nuclear programme continues to weigh heavily on US thinking. The issue featured in Dick Cheney’s one-day visit to Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah. In the wake of this meeting, fears emerged that, following a US withdrawal, Iraq may become a staging ground for a dangerous proxy war between rivals Iran and Saudi Arabia. It has been suggested that in a post-occupation Iraq, Saudi Arabia would attempt to counter Iranian influence and Shia strength by actively supplying armed Sunni groups with weaponry and financial assistance. Adding to regional tensions, US armed forces spokesmen have claimed that Iran’s recent 10-day military exercises were aimed at dissuading Gulf Arab states from lending logistical support to the US in the event of war. General John Abizaid, the US commander in the Middle East, has also said that most of Iran’s ½ million-man army, which is based along the border with Iraq, has been practising guerrilla warfare. In addition, US Naval Intelligence reports that Iran has up to 1000 missile and torpedo-armed boats for saturation attacks on Persian Gulf shipping. Iran has also begun receiving deliveries of the advanced Tor M1 surface to air missile from Russia. This week, several developments added to the impression of growing Iranian confidence in the face of US-led pressure over its nuclear programme. Ali Larijani’s dismissal of recent Israeli threats reflects Iran’s perception of its own advantage following Hezbollah’s perceived victory in this year’s 34-day Lebanese war. The importance of Iran as a regional power was also re-affirmed when President Jalal Talibani visited Tehran to seek assistance on tackling Iraq’s security crisis. Talibani reported that he had secured an agreement on security with Iran but the details remained conspicuously absent. France’s President Jacques Chirac also suggested that Iran had a role to play alongside NATO in stabilising Afghanistan. Chirac’s statement suggests a divergence from the Bush administration’s existing policy toward Iran, and reflects wider and unresolved Security Council disagreement on how to tackle Iran over its nuclear ambitions. Carlos Coke (BASIC) STORIES AND LINKSCheney Visits Saudis Amid Iraq Upheaval, CBS news, November
25 2006 Iran wargame aimed at waning shot to allies, Iranmania, November
30 2006 Russia selling missiles to Iran, Herald Sun, November 25 2006
Iran invites Sinopec to sign $100bn oil, gas deals, Iranmania,
November 26 2006 Israel can’t dare attack Iran, The News - International, November
30 2006 Iraq president seeks Iran’s help, bbc.co.uk, November 27 2006
Chirac seeks Afghan role for Iran, FT.com, November 28 2006
Spokesman: Iran has never had hidden nuclear activities, Islamic
Republic News Agency (IRNA), November 30 2006 COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS‘Blair’s bridge between Europe and the US? It’s falling down
and he’s left with nothing’, The Times, November 30 2006 Stepping into Iraq, Washington Post, November 29 2006 Iranian President Ahmedinajad’s letter to the American people,
Information Clearing House, November 29 2006 Iraq exit via Iran?, Washington Times, November 29 2006
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