US ready to invade Iran

- Anil Narendra

Relations between Iran and US have taken a further nose-dive in the wake of Iran shooting down an American drone and making its public display. The Iranian TV showed the inspection of RQ-170 Sentinel drone by Iranian military officers. US President, Barak Obama requested the Iranian President to return the drone, but Iran was not prepared for it. Then, there was the matter of European Union sanctions against Iran. The EU has decided to put fresh sanctions against 180 Iranian officials and companies in the wake of the controversial Iranian nuclear programme.

The recent meeting of EU Foreign Ministers in Brussels also agreed on certain steps aimed at Iranian energy sector. These sanctions are being placed after the UN report that had linked Iranian nuclear programmes with the development of nuclear weapons. Britain had already announced the expulsion of all Iranian diplomats. In a retaliatory move, Iran declared to block the Strait of Hormuz, in case international community try to curb its oil exports. This warning was given by the Iranian Vice President, Reza Rahimi, who said that if the Western countries tried to restrict its oil exports, Iran would not allow a drop of oil to pass through the Strait of Hormuz. Iran is the fourth largest oil exporter in the world. The oil proceeds provide Iran money and political power and make available required help in continuing its nuclear programme. The world community is also aware of this Iranian strategy. In view of this, the Foreign Ministers of European Union expressed the possibilities of sanctions on Iranian oil exports. It will, however, not be easy for Iran to block the Strait of Hormuz. Besides Iranian Navy, navies of some other Western countries are also stationed in the Strait. The US has strongly reacted over the Iranian threat. The Pentagon spokesman George Little has said that the Strait of Hormuz is not only important for the security and stability of the region, but it is also the life line for the economies of Gulf countries including that of Iran.' The Strait is also very important for the US as it brings all its oil through this route. The US Navy has said that it would not tolerate this. Moreover, the Strait of Hormuz connect Oil producing countries like Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and UAE to the Indian Ocean. Reacting to the Iranian threat, the Spokesman of the US Navy's Fifth Fleet said, 'We are always prepared to tackle any action taken with ill intention'. US keeps its Naval Fleet stationed in the Strait to facilitate movement of oil on this route. Earlier, an Vice Spokesman of the US State Department, Mark Toner has said that the objective of the Iranian threat is to divert attention from its nuclear programme.

 America, Anil Narendra, Daily Pratap, Iran, USA, Vir Arjun