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Middle East Tensions Could Harden Positions in Iran Nuclear Diplomacy, Experts Say
Iran experts have said that hostilities in Lebanon could harden the positions of those concerned that Tehran is developing nuclear weapons, as well as hard-liners within the Iranian leadership, the Associated Press reported today. “Any tension in the region does not have a positive effect on Iran’s negotiating position on the nuclear issues. It will have a negative effect,” said former Iranian Vice President Mohammad Ali Abtahi. There are concerns that Iran might spark a regional arms race, or someday transfer fissile material to a group such as Hezbollah, which has received military support from Tehran and is embroiled in the confrontation with Israel. “This will certainly be on the Western mind,” said Ahmad Bakhshaiesh, a political affairs researcher at Azadi University in Tehran. “No one is saying this is possible or could even happen, but just the thought will likely increase the pressure on Iran.” Meanwhile, hard-liners in Iran are likely to use hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah as a justification for maintaining a nuclear option, said Nasser Hadian, a political analyst at Tehran University. “In their minds, the region is so volatile that the only safety is to have the ability to produce a nuclear deterrent,” Hadian said. “These voices have been getting louder in recent days” (Brian Murphy, Associated Press/Washington Post, July 25).
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