Iranian President Ahmedinejad is in Beirut. This is the news that is stirring opinions around the world. Before that, there were two calls of the utmost importance. The first was King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz of Saudi Arabia and the second was the King of Jordan, King Abdullah bin al-Hussein.
This visit has caused shock in the West. The West has, time and time again, imposed blockades and economic sanctions. They have withheld technical cooperation and made life difficult for certain individuals, along with censoring information. Iran answered these actions indirectly, saying that they were useless. Over time, what may become clear is the nature of regional conditions and Iran’s relationships with her neighbors, both Arab and non-Arab, including the relationships that Iran maintains with different communities based on culture and shared ideologies.
After the establishment of the Islamic regime in Iran, the reaction of the West, especially America, regarding the kind of rule in this country and the developments that prevailed in the area and around the world after the fall of the imperial (Shahenshahi) regime was that the Middle East was pointing toward the unknown on all levels. It was clear that Iran would remain influential in the realm of politics and would not show her weaknesses or retreat in her vital role in relationships with her neighbors.
The hostage crisis at the American Embassy in Tehran was evidence of the weakness surrounding the Democratic administration; that the government of President Carter was slowly crumbling with the rising tide of the Republicans. At the same time, a different role was being made for Iran, proving that it is not weak. This was confirmed through acts of espionage conducted with the complicity of the Shah himself. Then, the start of the appalling war between Iran and Iraq was influenced by regional and international powers. The war came to be seen as a conflict between the secular regime in Baghdad and an Islamic regime, which threatened the interests of the West. Washington did not succeed in suppressing the Iranian plan, but it may have limited it. Washington did, however, force Saddam Hussein to foot the bill of the war. There were no international resolutions against Hussein, nor was America his enemy. However, Hussein was forced to waive anything previously considered to be an Iraqi victory. A letter from Hussein to Hashimi Rafsanjani at the end of 1990 was evidence that Hussein waived any claim to victory. Included in the letter were an abundance of waivers that did not respect the amount of blood shed throughout the eight years of internecine war. Saddam was defeated and pulled out of Kuwait. Iran emerged as a participant in resolving the conflict. In 2003, Saddam Hussein fell and Iran became the director of politics in the region despite America’s apparent refusal.
Ahmedinejad is in Beirut, after a number of different UN resolutions to blockade Iran. Ahmedinejad calls King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz and the King of Jordan; two strategic allies to Washington. He commends Saad Hariri in a press conference with President Michel Suleiman and meets with former president Amine Gemayel and the leader of the Lebanese Army, Samir Geagea. Prior to that, there was celebrating in the streets of Beirut, from the airport to the Baabda Palace.
The amount of commotion stirred by this visit was unexpected by Washington. Washington wanted help from her Arab allies in minimizing the strength of Iran, as was done in Iraq through blockades and the killing of Iraqis, which is known as the worst crime in the history of mankind. There were even mass graves of children.
Ahmedinejad has spoken with, according to America’s classification, moderate Arab leaders. He has visited their capitals and called for unity and the rejection of their differences. America wanted an escalation and for Iran to make extreme statements, thus weakening her in the eyes of her neighbors and the world.
Recent developments show that Tehran may successfully crack the code of both American-Arab relations and also the siege against her. This may allow Iran to obtain nuclear capabilities by finding alternative markets to those that Washington and her allies in the West are trying to shut down in the face of Iranian ambitions.
Iraq is playing the same role with Iran that Jordan did during the days of the American embargo against Iraq. Countries such as Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait and Jordan are worried about being embarrassed in the event they are dragged into the American agenda in the region.
Will Iran succeed in blockading America again? Will Iran succeed in toppling America’s hopes to rally support from the Arab masses?
During the next few months, many facts will become clear. However, we will just have to wait and see.
Iran is no problem to anyone other than to itself. American media needs better awareness and deeper understanding of foreign countries. Iran is a theocratic state. Its rulers claim direct descent from the Grandson of the Prophet Muhammad. There is no such precedent throughout Islamic history. What is worse for Iran is that the incumbent Mullah cheated in Ahmadinejad election. The Iranians came out in the streets with protest. The dissent was ruthlessly suppressed. This has shaken the faith of the people in theocracy. There is another anomaly in Iran. Iranian junta is puffed up with a strong belief in an occult sage soon to come out of his hiding and he would elevate Iran to a regional superpower. The foolishness went so far that the Army Chief of Iran wrote a letter to the hidden sage “to please come out” now. 99 per cent non-Shiite Muslims scoffs at this myth. Yes, there is a prediction of a sage y the name Mehdi, who would arrive coinciding with the descent of Jesus Christ. The sages do no such things. They are harbingers of peace and tranquility for whole mankind. I have written to both Israeli Prime Minister and to President Obama to treat Iran no more than a trading country. Britain called it a “Honey Pot.” For five centuries the Ottomans kept Iran in isolation so as not to make any mistake of doing any hanky panky with the Turks.