Page 5 - DMEA Week 17 2020

DMEA COMMENTARY DMEA
Puller, a destroyer and other, smaller US vessels were practising spotting targets for the Apaches and transmitting the information.
“These exercises show US forces can go on the offensive against Iranian small boats, rather than simply defending against them,” said Bryan Clark, a former special assistant to the chief of naval operations who is now a naval analyst for the Hudson Institute. The Navy previously relied on “deck guns and onboard helicopters, which can be overwhelmed by a large boat swarm.”
The question is whether Trump’s warning to Iran will deter conflict with Iran or escalate that prospect. What Trump described as an instruc- tion to fire in all cases of harassment has been portrayed by military officials more as an option if captains feel their crews are in danger.
Iranian response
It may be that some Iranian leaders see Rama- dan as an opportunity to mobilise public support for the regime in Tehran, especially if President Trump delivers on his threat to “destroy” any of their gunboats. The same theory sees an esca- lation that will lead to an increase in oil prices, which would presumably benefit oil-produc- ing countries such as theirs, while dragging Mr Trump into a military confrontation that could prove costly in an election year.
However, Iranian government Spokesman Ali Rabiei was quoted on April 26 as saying that the Islamic Republic does not welcome increased tensions in the Persian Gulf, and it will do its best to ensure security in the region. He referred to the recent threats by US officials, saying that the Islamic Republic has always expected to hear such useless words from the United States, but Tehran constantly has announced its stance.
“We and all the countries in the region are the great victims of insecurity in the Persian Gulf. Amid the conditions in the domestic economy and oil prices, the one who benefits from inse- curity in the Persian Gulf is the United States of America,” added Rabiei.
As long as the United States continues its destructive military presence in West Asia, and refers to defeated groups and lobbies in recognis- ing its interests, even the interests of the Amer- ican people will not be protected, underlined Rabiei.
Noting that Iran is not seeking tension in the region and is taking action in its territorial waters, the government spokesman stated secu- rity in the region is Iran’s main demand. Tehran has sent several messages to the leaders of the regional countries calling for security in the region, he added.
Rabiei also announced that during Ramadan, security accords with the countries of the region and agreements to deal with coronavirus can be reviewed to create a violence-free region to cope with the coronavirus and save lives. However, the Islamic Republic will definitely give the neces- sary response to the aggressors.
The Iranian spokesperson further said that the United States accuses the Islamic Republic of Iran of violating the UN resolution for a con- ventional act that does not contradict the legal and international regulations, but the Islamic Republic has no doubt that Washington will fail to prove this.
He emphasised that the Islamic Republic of Iran believes its military and civilian techno- logical advances are in accordance with inter- national law and saying such advances are Iran’s absolute and irreconcilable right.
He also advised European countries to learn from the past experiences and put an end to giv- ing concessions to this bully as soon as possible. In this way, the world will be safer amid the coro- navirus outbreak and even after corona, reiter- ated Rabiei.
“We have not taken any action contrary to the laws and resolutions,” stressed Rabiei, underlin- ing that the United States must return to resolve its internal problems.
There seems to be no shortage of mixed mes- sages; it can only be hoped that behind these messages wise counsels will prevail. ™
Week 17 30•April•2020 w w w . N E W S B A S E . c o m
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