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Tensions behind Iran’s plot to kill Saudi’s US envoy
News Analysis: Cold war between Iran and Saudi Arabia blew up again with Saudis’ intervention in Bahrain
WHAT'S HAPPENED?The US says it has uncovered an Iranian plot to assassinate the Saudi ambassador in Washington, possibly using explosives. Two Iranian men have been charged with conspiracy to murder a foreign official, conspiring to use a weapon of mass destruction, and conspiracy to commit international terrorism.
One of the alleged perpetrators, Manssor Arbabsiar (above), is a naturalised US citizen who holds Iranian and American passports. He was arrested and is said to have confessed, although his lawyer says he will plead not guilty at trial. The other man, Gholam Shakuri, is in Iran and is believed to belong to the Quds Force - part of Iran's Revolutionary Guard.
An Iranian foreign ministry spokesman dismissed the allegations as "baseless" and called them "a comedy show fabricated by America".
Saudi Arabia called the alleged plot "a despicable violation of international norms, standards and conventions" and "not in accord with the principles of humanity".
WHAT DOES IT MEAN?The alleged plot is only the latest skirmish in a cold war that has existed between Saudi Arabia and Iran for decades. Saudi is an ally of the 'Great Satan' America and, as Craig Whitlock and Liz Sly observe in The Washington Post, the 1979 Iranian revolution brought to power a regime in Tehran that "has openly challenged the legitimacy of the royal House of Saud".
The antagonism is fuelled by sectarianism; Iran is predominantly Shia Muslim whereas Saudi is Sunni. Both countries see each other as standing in the way of their ambitions in the Middle East.
The Arab Spring has recently intensified the rivalry further, with each country seeking to prop up friendly regimes threatened by people power.
As the BBC's Mohammad Manzarpour points out, tensions may have been stoked when, in March, the Saudis sent troops into Bahrain to put down popular protests there by the Shia majority against the Sunni royal family.
"It was little criticised in the West but was seen in Iran as a blatant assault on the Shia majority in Bahrain."
WHAT'S NEXT?The US has ruled out military action but says it will work with its allies to send a "very strong message" to Iran. This will probably include tightening sanctions on Tehran, which is already subject to a variety of trade restrictions. Downing Street said it would "support measures" against Iran. ·
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One hopes that these allegations are not meant to prepare Israel for its long time desire to invade or bomb Iran. The US president is not in Israel's good books - trying too hard ( and failing in my view) to achieve some balance for the Palestinians in the stalemate there. Cameron is such a puppet, I wonder that his views should be stated at all. Of course he will join in any negative war like action, it is a given.
The Yanks are hell bent on having a war with Iran and this silly event could be the excuse to light another fuse.
GWB could have done it. Has the present incumbent got the clout?
There is much skepticism amongst Americans concerning this supposed "plot." Periodically, the U.S. will float a terrorist plot which seems to come straight out of its Ministry of Propaganda.
It is no secret that the U.S. is constantly trying to build a case against Iran just as it did with Saddam and his make believe WMDs. With all the lies and propaganda that Americans have been subjected to over the last 10 years, why should we believe this one especially when we know Obama and company have an agenda to promote? Many Americans are very cautious in accepting what they now know could be manufactured incidents.
There has been a long line of dubious and inept terrorist attempts from the Shoe Bomber, who was unable to detonate his device unless lit with a match, the Christmas Bomber, whose device was unable to explode, and the Underwear Bomber, whose device was too large for his jock. These feeble attempts that were always thwarted are a far cry from the sophisticated and well planned 9/11 attack that came out
of the caves of Afghanistan (which millions of people do not believe).
The spongy rubber track on which American propaganda runs on is becoming thin and well worn. We now understand the need for the American government to keep up its constant barrage of lies in order to keep its citizens frightened into accepting its growing police state. Phony terrorist incidents also serve as diversions and smoke screens from the multitude of problems facing the puppet government and its string-pullers -- the international banks and the Fed.
Sorry, this seems like another one made for Prime Time!
Beware exiled Iranian BBC journalists...they're probably working for MI6 or the CIA.
Do what the US does. Use a drone then according to the US it would be OK!!!!