“Saudi Arabia is signing contracts with Russia and France to provide the country with nuclear reactors. Isn't that a reaction to Iran's nuclear ambitions?” asked my BBC interviewer.
“Producing nuclear energy is different than building nuclear weapons.” I explained, “Saudi Arabia, is looking for a sustainable, renewable, clean and cheap source of power. Oil is not the best in these departments. Today, we use quarter of our petroleum production for local consumption. If this trend continues, a day may come when we may not have much to export. Our economy cannot afford to lose its main source of income.”
** “But Iran is saying the same thing. They claim that their aim is to build nuclear reactors for peaceful uses. Why your projects are any different?” he wondered.
— “We are about to buy reactors for energy production only, from responsible countries, like USA, France, South Korea, and Japan, who would never sell bomb making reactors, equipment, or materials. Deals are not secretive, and all concerned parties — the United Nations, its International Atomic Energy Agency, the International Energy Agency and the international community are well aware of the technical details.
“Iran, on the other hand, has been secretly building its reactors in hidden military areas, using suspicious methods, like uranium enrichment, and cooperating with suspect partners, such as North Korea. They have resisted international surveillance since the start of their project 12 years ago. And until today, they have not produced a single kilowatt of power.”
** “You should be happy, then, that a deal is about to be reached with Iran, to ensure the peaceful nature of its endeavors!” he exclaimed.
— “Of course, I would,” I answered. “Bushehr plant on the Arabian Gulf, is using outdated technology worse than what was used in the Russian Chernobyl reactor that went bust in Ukraine, 1986. Worse, the city of Bushehr is in the earthquake zone. Try to imagine the disaster to the region in case of an explosion.
“As for the prospect of nuclear weapons in the hands of a rouge nation with grand historical and empire ambitions, led by ideologists who believe their holy mission is to export revolution and Shi'ism, the picture is too horrifying to draw.
“Therefore, I believe the agreement with Iran to put its projects under international watch in order to guarantee safety and peaceful use would be very welcome.”
** Then what your concerns are about?
— “Since there is no commitment from Iran to behave responsibly, the unfreezing of $120 billion worth of assets in American banks alone would encourage the Farsi Empire to continue its destructive projects in the Arab world. So far, with its budget squeezed, and its economy under sanctions, Iran has managed to start and engage in five civil wars.
“Supporting militant regimes and groups in Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Palestine and Yemen, and trying its hand in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Somalia and Sudan, Iran has been raining chaos, death and destruction on the region.
“US President Barack Obama sought to soothe these worries by promising to protect the Arabian Gulf nations from Iranian military attacks. But Iranians don't use their armies in direct confrontations. They prefer proxy wars — commissioning militant groups like Hezbollah and the Houthis to do the dirty work. How could America protect the region from such virus-like attacks if not by directly dealing with its main source — the evil mothership?
“Lining warships between us and Iran won't stop its supported regimes and terrorists from attacking our interests, and destroying Arab nations. More weapons and cash to these stooges would only bring our world more sectarian divide, civil strife, and inner fights.
“How America could benefit from such mayhem is beyond my intelligence, but the benefit to Iran is clear. The weaker its neighbors, the stronger its controlling hand. In addition, Iraq, Syria and Lebanon would give Iran full access to the Mediterranean Sea; and Yemen would give the whole package of the Red Sea and its gate, bab almandab, the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean. Saudi Arabia, its archrival, would be surrounded with Iranian occupied or influenced countries. Orders issued in Tehran would be followed in all Arab capitals to the letter, or else! What a prize!”
** If true, what Arabs are going to do?
— “In short, if you know you are right, fight! Self-defense is the ultimate legitimacy. Arabs have finally woken up to the gravity of the danger, created their political and military alliance, and decided to face Iran's schemes, with or without American help. Regardless of the outcome of the nuclear negotiations with Iran, the Arab world would depend on its unity to fight the Farsi ambitions.
— Dr. Khaled M. Batarfi is a Saudi writer based in Jeddah. He can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him at Twitter:@kbatarfi
