Behind Washington’s Allegations
Mostafa Kavakebian
The new allegations that Tehran was plotting to assassinate the Saudi Ambassador to Washington are the latest product of the smear campaign the US’ politicians have leveled at Iran. Indeed, General Attorney Eric Holder’s and FBI Director Robert Mueller’s remarks are tailored-made translations of Republicans’ anti-Iran remarks in their recent in-party campaigns.
Pulling aside the curtain, discovering the motives behind the recent accusations Washington has thrown at Iran wouldn’t be a tough job. The United States may want to fuel –and take advantage of- the internal schism inside the Islamic Republic political system; but despite all the disagreements, Iranian politicians have proved to know the art of separating from and prioritizing national interests over partisan concerns. Nodding to foreign intervention is the strongest taboo in Iranian politics.
The Arab Spring has also confounded the US’ diplomatic apparatus. Pro-democracy movements have shaken the power foundations of Washington’s allies. With Mubarak’s fall, Palestinian Authority’s UN statehood bid and the Iran-held high-profile conference in support of the Palestinian intifada, Israel is becoming increasingly isolated. The pro-Israel lobby would more than welcome a breakthrough that spares it the misery of besiegement by hostile neighbors. An outrageous story such as Iran’s recruitment of Mexican drug cartels to kill the Saudi Ambassador sounds a charming story, adequately powerful to divert attention from the Middle East uprisings.
The story also fits well within the Iranophobia (and Shiaphobia) project that West follows persistently to widen the gap between Iran and its Sunni Arab neighbors. While the Wall Street chain protests have occupied the mind of the upper echelons of US politics, a horror story like the Islamic Republic of Iran launching a terrorist attacking ‘inside’ the US’ territory could serve as an effective distractor.
It is up to Iran's diplomatic apparatus to keep a close eye on the allegations that could unfold into a serious challenge for the country. The first step, which has been already taken, is to reject this scenario categorically and to trace –and sue- the sources of rumor. The personal profile of Mansour Arbabsiar, the alleged conspirator, is enough to discredit the whole propaganda: he is an American citizen, with an unflattering record of drug charges and divorce cases.
It seems that Washington’s major goal is to enter another challenge with Iran. This calls for brisk diplomacy by Iran, one that convinces the Americans about the meaninglessness of such ventures, and makes them aware how worthless such irrational, undiplomatic games are. The hotline US military called for is now quite hard-to-get.