POLITICAL observers believe that the United States and Israel have begun dealing with the Iranian issue in a different manner after the failure of their policy of threats and sanctions and in light of the volatile situation in Syria. Just before the Iranian naval exercises which began a few days ago, US President Obama stated that the resumption of talks between the West and Tehran represented a diplomatic opportunity to defuse the conflict over Iran's nuclear program and delay the drums of war. He further indicated that the Iranian nuclear program did not pose any imminent threat. Sources close to the US administration revealed that during the past few months the American president started a dialogue with Iran and Syria at a very high level through experts in his transitional team. It was also disclosed that in September Israel with Australian mediation held secret talks with Iran about its nuclear program. Yael Doron, spokesperson of Israel's Atomic Energy Commission, said that a committee member held a number of meetings with Ali Asghar Soltanieh, Iran's representative to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Israeli newspaper Haaretz published a report in which it said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had admitted the secret meetings with Iran. He also said former foreign minister Shlomo Ben-Ami was present at these talks. The sudden change in Israel's political attitude after its threats of war against Iran might be due to one of three reasons: 1. The attitude of the GCC countries which are opposed to any strikes against Iran's nuclear installations because any aggression against Iran would result in destruction in the Arab Gulf region. 2. The keenness of the US administration not to be bogged down in a new quagmire considering its failures in Afghanistan and North Korea. 3. The fear that Israel's failure in a unilateral military operation against Iran might oblige the US to enter into the war to save Israel, which, of course, takes us back to the second reason. It is obvious that the US is not yet certain about the military might of the Jewish state even though it possesses nuclear weapons. As a political cover, the the US has been calling Israel an “oasis of democracy” while in fact it is an aggressive military state. Even though Israel's weapons are clearly of an offensive nature, the country's leaders do not miss any opportunity to announce that they are after peace and that peace is the essence of their nation's policy. They do not hesitate to claim that Israel is the only country in the Middle East which adheres to the principle of peace. In spite of such allegations, Israel has recently signed a US$ 2.75 billion contract with the US to purchase 20 F-35 stealth fighters. A statement issued by the Israeli consulate in NewYork following the signing of the agreement said that the fighters would be delivered between 2015 and 2017. The statement described the planes as the most advanced fighter jets in the world and said they would reinforce Israel's capabilities to defend itself against any threats coming from anywhere in the Middle East. This is the largest military deal in the history of Israel. The statement said these fighters were designed to avoid radar monitoring and added that they would play a significant role in any Israeli effort to put an end to the threats being posed by Iran's nuclear program. Haaretz said by 2016 Israel will have a squadron of 25 F-35 fighters each supplied with a special electronic war system. As far as its navy is concerned, Israel signed an agreement with Germany in 2006 to buy four Dolphin Class submarines and two U212/U214 submarines supplied with double nuclear abilities. These submarines will be able to ward off any nuclear attacks and at the same time launch a nuclear counterattack. The Jerusalem Post said the submarines would be provided with special systems that will keep them underwater for a longer time than submarines currently in the country's naval fleet. Israel obtained these submarines in order to be able to confront Iranian threats and to reinforce its abilities to launch a second nuclear strike against Iran. It is clear, therefore, that the country which claims to be working for peace is up to its neck in sophisticated weapons many with a nuclear capability. Yet while stockpiling nuclear weapons, Israel has been adamant in its refusal to sign the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty which has been endorsed by 189 countries including the US. Israel, which dreams of ruling the entire Middle East region, has made it clear that being a non-signatory, it is not bound by the treaty.
— Hassan Tahsin is an Egyptian writer and political analyst. He can be reached at [email protected]
