Iran: Why and why now?
On September 7, depending who you listen
to, we all but declared war on Iran. In
reality, we joined the United States and
Britain by cutting diplomatic ties with what
foreign minister John Baird refers to as "the
most significant threat to global peace and
security in the world today."
While this declaration seems a bit extraordinary, it should be taken in the context of the current economic sanctions imposed on Iran, not only by Canada, but also by the United States, European Union and United Nations. The troubling actions of Iran in recent years, particularly concerning their efforts to become a nuclear power, prompted the cutting of diplomatic ties. Despite this history, the move was a surprise given that no recent developments in the nature of Iranian-Canadian relations prompted the declaration. Iranian diplomats were given five days from September 7 to leave the country and vacate their embassies. Baird also stated that Canada's diplomats in Tehran had left the country.
In response, the Iranian government issued a terse and ominous release threatening "immediate and decisive" action. The nature, timing and severity of the potential reaction remain to be seen but the statement decries Canada siding with the "Zionists" (Israel).
While the government's position is consistent with previous administration's relations with Iran, the lack of incitement for this declaration leads us to the question, why now? Prime Minister Stephen Harper has made a clear point to politically align ourselves with countries that we consider valuable allies, yet the support of countries such as the United States, Israel and Great Britain is hardly in question. It's widely believed that withdrawing our Canadian embassy staff from Tehran could be in reaction to intelligence concerning a potential Israeli military strike against Iran, which could spark an international conflict. Baird made a point of saying they "unequivocally" had no intelligence of such a strike, but the fact that he addressed it vastly increases the likelihood of just such a scenario.
Should that take place, Canada would appear to possess keen foresight as international infiltration by the Iranian special guard has been noted in recent years. With the official Iranian Embassy dispatched from the country, Canada won't be forced to play diplomatic games with stakes much higher than they are today. Conversely, the closure of both embassies is creating chaos for citizens of both countries who rely on the embassies for visa renewal, marriage licences and a host of other administrative functions.
On September 11, the Israeli prime minister issued a statement criticizing the U.S. for not giving Iran a deadline to disarm and halt their pursuit of nuclear weapon components. According to the statement, the absence of a disarmament deadline puts the United States in a position of perpetual inaction. Whether the sanctions imposed by Canada prompted this statement is hard to say, but it does point to a pattern of Israel pressuring their allies to take action against perceived threats to their country. Rather than being a bold declarative move, this seems to simply be a realigning with our allies.
Editorial opinions or comments expressed in this online edition of Interrobang newspaper reflect the views of the writer and are not those of the Interrobang or the Fanshawe Student Union. The Interrobang is published weekly by the Fanshawe Student Union at 1001 Fanshawe College Blvd., P.O. Box 7005, London, Ontario, N5Y 5R6 and distributed through the Fanshawe College community. Letters to the editor are welcome. All letters are subject to editing and should be emailed. All letters must be accompanied by contact information. Letters can also be submitted online by clicking here.
While this declaration seems a bit extraordinary, it should be taken in the context of the current economic sanctions imposed on Iran, not only by Canada, but also by the United States, European Union and United Nations. The troubling actions of Iran in recent years, particularly concerning their efforts to become a nuclear power, prompted the cutting of diplomatic ties. Despite this history, the move was a surprise given that no recent developments in the nature of Iranian-Canadian relations prompted the declaration. Iranian diplomats were given five days from September 7 to leave the country and vacate their embassies. Baird also stated that Canada's diplomats in Tehran had left the country.
In response, the Iranian government issued a terse and ominous release threatening "immediate and decisive" action. The nature, timing and severity of the potential reaction remain to be seen but the statement decries Canada siding with the "Zionists" (Israel).
While the government's position is consistent with previous administration's relations with Iran, the lack of incitement for this declaration leads us to the question, why now? Prime Minister Stephen Harper has made a clear point to politically align ourselves with countries that we consider valuable allies, yet the support of countries such as the United States, Israel and Great Britain is hardly in question. It's widely believed that withdrawing our Canadian embassy staff from Tehran could be in reaction to intelligence concerning a potential Israeli military strike against Iran, which could spark an international conflict. Baird made a point of saying they "unequivocally" had no intelligence of such a strike, but the fact that he addressed it vastly increases the likelihood of just such a scenario.
Should that take place, Canada would appear to possess keen foresight as international infiltration by the Iranian special guard has been noted in recent years. With the official Iranian Embassy dispatched from the country, Canada won't be forced to play diplomatic games with stakes much higher than they are today. Conversely, the closure of both embassies is creating chaos for citizens of both countries who rely on the embassies for visa renewal, marriage licences and a host of other administrative functions.
On September 11, the Israeli prime minister issued a statement criticizing the U.S. for not giving Iran a deadline to disarm and halt their pursuit of nuclear weapon components. According to the statement, the absence of a disarmament deadline puts the United States in a position of perpetual inaction. Whether the sanctions imposed by Canada prompted this statement is hard to say, but it does point to a pattern of Israel pressuring their allies to take action against perceived threats to their country. Rather than being a bold declarative move, this seems to simply be a realigning with our allies.
Editorial opinions or comments expressed in this online edition of Interrobang newspaper reflect the views of the writer and are not those of the Interrobang or the Fanshawe Student Union. The Interrobang is published weekly by the Fanshawe Student Union at 1001 Fanshawe College Blvd., P.O. Box 7005, London, Ontario, N5Y 5R6 and distributed through the Fanshawe College community. Letters to the editor are welcome. All letters are subject to editing and should be emailed. All letters must be accompanied by contact information. Letters can also be submitted online by clicking here.
