Missile Defense Shield and the Fallacy of Iran’s Threat
Diplomacy is the best way to reduce conflicts in the region. By Amir Mousavi
![Missile Defense Shield and the Fallacy of Iran’s Threat](/images/www/en/news/news-primary/2010/MOSAVI amir.jpg)
Recent days have seen news about deployment of new US antimissile systems in the Persian Gulf region. According to New York Times, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and UAE are said to be the countries which have decided to take the new defense systems. Amir Mousavi, strategic affairs analyst has commented on the significations for Iranian Diplomacy:
Clearly the deployment of missile defense shield in Persian Gulf is part of Americans’ effort to counter presumed Iranian missile threat and boost the morale of those Arab countries in which US has established air force bases and missile sites. Qatar and Bahrain in particular are home to Americans’ largest military bases.
Disclosure of plans to place antimissile systems in four Persian Gulf Arab states seems to be a response to Larijani’s remarks made in his recent visit to Kuwait. The Iranian parliamentary spokesman did not hesitate to warn of Iran’s response, hinting that any country hosting Iran’s enemies for ground, marine or air raids should face the responsibility.
Larijani’s remarks were quite resounding for Iran’s Arab neighbors, as some were prompted to response to his statements. Iranian military officials have also frequently warned about the consequences of any US military raid launched from regional bases in the Persian Gulf.
While the missile system aim to neutralize Iran’s missile power, experience has shown that such systems are unable to thwart multishot missiles strikes. Iran, on the other hand, possesses a large stock of middle-range and long-range missiles. Persian Gulf Arab states could find themselves in a predicament if they permit Americans attack Iran from their soil.
It would serve Arab states much better to ask Washington decrease its military profile in the region instead of flexing muscles for Iran. Diplomacy has proved to be the best option to forestall conflicts in the region. Besides, by housing US military, Arab countries are actually undermining their own independence and sovereignty. However, we shouldn’t forget that according to contracts US has signed with Arab countries of the region, military bases function as providers of logistic support for American troops in Iraq and Persian Gulf and Americans do not have the right to use them as a launch pad against neighboring countries.
Clearly the deployment of missile defense shield in Persian Gulf is part of Americans’ effort to counter presumed Iranian missile threat and boost the morale of those Arab countries in which US has established air force bases and missile sites. Qatar and Bahrain in particular are home to Americans’ largest military bases.
Disclosure of plans to place antimissile systems in four Persian Gulf Arab states seems to be a response to Larijani’s remarks made in his recent visit to Kuwait. The Iranian parliamentary spokesman did not hesitate to warn of Iran’s response, hinting that any country hosting Iran’s enemies for ground, marine or air raids should face the responsibility.
Larijani’s remarks were quite resounding for Iran’s Arab neighbors, as some were prompted to response to his statements. Iranian military officials have also frequently warned about the consequences of any US military raid launched from regional bases in the Persian Gulf.
While the missile system aim to neutralize Iran’s missile power, experience has shown that such systems are unable to thwart multishot missiles strikes. Iran, on the other hand, possesses a large stock of middle-range and long-range missiles. Persian Gulf Arab states could find themselves in a predicament if they permit Americans attack Iran from their soil.
It would serve Arab states much better to ask Washington decrease its military profile in the region instead of flexing muscles for Iran. Diplomacy has proved to be the best option to forestall conflicts in the region. Besides, by housing US military, Arab countries are actually undermining their own independence and sovereignty. However, we shouldn’t forget that according to contracts US has signed with Arab countries of the region, military bases function as providers of logistic support for American troops in Iraq and Persian Gulf and Americans do not have the right to use them as a launch pad against neighboring countries.