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War on Iran 'a disaster'
05/02/2007 22:42 - (SA)
London - Military action against Iran would
have disastrous consequences, according to a report released on
Monday by a coalition of British-based think-tanks, faith groups
and others who urge a new diplomatic push to avert conflict.
The United States and Israel have stepped up their rhetoric
against Tehran in recent weeks, prompting speculation they could
be preparing for military attacks on the Islamic state.
Washington has sent a second aircraft carrier to the Gulf, a
move seen as a warning to Iran, which the United States accuses
of seeking atomic arms and fuelling instability in Iraq and
elsewhere in the Middle East. Iran denies the charges.
The joint report by 17 organisations said an
attack on Iran would strengthen Tehran's atomic ambitions,
severely undermine hopes for stability in Iraq and damage global
economic growth through higher oil prices. Still time to talk
"Our message today is simple," said Alex Bingham, Iran
analyst at the foreign policy centre. "Despite the belligerence,
despite the tension, there is still time to talk to Iran."
European diplomats said on Monday Iran had installed 328
uranium enrichment centrifuges, in defiance of UN security
council resolutions demanding it halt such work.
Iran says its nuclear programme will only be for peaceful
purposes, such as electricity generation, and not to make bombs.
The report received support from Sir Richard Dalton,
Britain's ambassador to Tehran from 2002 to 2006. Leverage
Dalton said there were signs that Iran's leadership was
beginning to re-evaluate the costs and benefits of its
confrontational stance against the West.
"The international community has leverage on Iran and should
use it," he said, suggesting the European Union could
contemplate imposing its own sanctions on Tehran.
"They are extremely difficult to negotiate with ... but it
should be possible to put an offer to them which they find very
difficult to refuse," he added.
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