Why the US is responsible for the Iran nuclear crisis

Six years after their triumphant return to Washington, at least one thing is obvious about Bush’s foreign policy makers: their drive to secure US global preeminence will continue at all costs. Despite the administration’s lowest ever approval ratings, the increasing costs of the Iraq occupation, and skyrocketing domestic and international opposition to the entire affair, all signs indicate that another US-initiated showdown in the Middle East is coming. This time the target is Iran.

Behind the diplomatic charade playing out in the headlines of the Free Press, Washington is deep in preparation for a ‘regime change’ in Tehran. All the bases have been covered: high-level Pentagon planners have drawn up plans for an armed US invasion; campaigns of military intimidation inside Iranian territory have already begun; and tens of millions of dollars are being sought to fund anti-regime activity from within. All that’s needed now is the ‘final proof’ that diplomacy cannot solve the ‘nuclear crisis’ with Tehran.

According to the Bush administration, the Islamic Republic is enriching uranium for a covert nuclear weapons program, in blatant defiance of world conventions on non-proliferation. Until recently, it has ruled out direct talks on the matter, demanding that Iran cease all enrichment activities and open its nuclear sites to international inspectors. Tehran maintains that its program is for purely civilian purposes, has pushed for face to face negotiations with Washington, and sought guarantees that America will not launch an unprovoked attack on the country. America has declined, refusing to trust what it calls an untrustworthy ‘terrorist’ regime.

In truth, Washington’s aggressive posture toward Iran has contributed more than any other factor to its decision to enrich uranium, and its policy has been crafted in such a way as to guarantee that diplomatic efforts will fail. Far from negotiating in good faith or committing itself to nuclear disarmament, the Bush White House is prepared to launch a nuclear strike against Iran - even if Iran doesn’t first attack us. This was confirmed as early as 2002, when a secret Pentagon document signed by Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld was leaked to the press. [1]

Citing “current and former American military and intelligence officials”, investigative journalist Seymour Hersh notes that the Bush administration has “intensified planning for a possible major air attack” against Iran. [2] The option of nuclear strikes - “presented to the White House by the Pentagon [last] winter” - is being considered by the Air Force. Washington is so serious about this that “teams of American combat troops have been ordered into Iran, under cover, to collect targeting data”, among other things. When asked to speak to these charges at a press conference, Bush himself refused to rule out the possibility of a nuclear first strike.

Unfortunately for Iran, these threats are not idle. America, which has bombed some twenty-five countries since the end of World War Two [3], is the only state ever to have used nuclear bombs. Washington also has a long history of meddling in Iran; in 1953, the CIA helped overthrow a secular nationalist regime in Tehran, ushering in decades of tyrannical rule by the unelected Shah. In consequence, Iran has demanded that America respect international law and pledge not to bomb the country. Washington has, to quote the New York Times, refused “anything that would suggest the United States giving some sort of guarantee for the survival of the current Iranian government.” [4] Iran has responded as any state would - by developing a deterrent.

In accordance with standard operating procedure for US imperial interventions, Washington is also teaming up with anti-government Iranians to hasten the emergence of a pro-American government. As the New York Times reported last February, the Bush administration is seeking “$85 million to promote political change inside Iran by subsidizing dissident groups, unions, student fellowships and television and radio broadcasts”, a massive increase from “only $3.5 million the previous year”. [5] On the same day National Security Advisor Condoleeza Rice filed the appropriations request, the State Department confirmed that they’re already in contact with pro-US groups to implement their plans. [6]

As a consequence of Washington’s belligerent policies, the threat of nuclear proliferation - in Iran and elsewhere - grows more severe every day. Fortunately, solutions to the standoff seem possible. Iran is seeking direct diplomacy with Washington - a fact confirmed by Paul Pillar, who was the senior Middle East intelligence analysts at the CIA until last fall. [7] And although the US has softened its stance recently, the Bush administration continues to thwart the possibility of a negotiated settlement. Washington demands that Iran surrenders its right to enrich uranium - guaranteed under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty [8] - and characterizes its would-be partner as a “terrorist state”. America’s goal, after all, is not a peaceful exit from the crisis; it’s regime change in Iran and empire in the Middle East.