What is Iran's role in the world?

GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad — Mon, 10 Aug 2015 04:15:04 -0400

As the United States and other world powers rushed to complete the framework for a nuclear agreement with Iran last April, a naval confrontation loomed in the Gulf of Aden.

Iran had sent a flotilla of nine cargo ships toward Yemen, where Saudi Arabia had recently imposed a naval blockade as part of its efforts to beat back a military campaign by Houthi rebels that had forced Yemen's president to flee the country. The Iranian ships' cargo was unknown, but their approach to Yemen was a direct challenge to the Saudi blockade.

"I was on the phone in an instant to my counterpart, and made it very, very clear that this could be a major confrontation, that we were not going to tolerate it," Secretary of State John Kerry told the Council on Foreign Relations last month. "And he called me back, indeed, within a short span of time and said, 'They will not land, they are not going to unload anything, they are not going to go out of international waters.' "

Just to be sure, the U.S. sent an aircraft carrier, the USS Roosevelt, to the area.

A month later, Iran again diverted a freighter that had been bound for a Houthi-held port after the U.S. publicly warned against breaking the Saudi blockade.

A leading Iranian foreign affairs analyst cites the Iranian diversions of its ships as recent evidence that 36 years after the Islamic revolution brought the ayatollahs to power, Iran has become a nation more interested in preserving stability and the status quo than in driving revolutionary upheaval.

"How can this not be a status quo power?" said Kayhan Barzegar, the chairman of the Institute of Middle East Strategic Studies in Tehran. "You see the pragmatism."

As the U.S. Congress debates the nuclear deal with Iran, with a vote expected by Sept. 20, one issue remains at the forefront of the discussion: Can Iran become an accepted member of the world community or will it be an outlier, bent on disrupting the international order? A related question also remains: Will the financial benefits from sanctions relief, assuming the accord is fully implemented, go to support far-flung military causes or will it facilitate Iran's return to international life?

A week of interviews with experts and government officials in Iran reveals a complex answer. World recognition of Iran as a serious negotiating partner will weaken Iranian hardliners who thrive on having the U.S. as an enemy, chiefly by reducing fears of a U.S. plot to overthrow the Islamic regime. Yet Iran's most controversial foreign engagements are grounded in the principles of the 1979 revolution and aren't about to go away.

Read more at ...

http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/irans-role-in-the-world-is-question-posed-by-pending-iran-deal/ar-BBlzXCL

Iran's role in the world is question posed by pending Iran deal

As the United States and other world powers rushed to complete the framework for a nuclear agreement with Iran last April, a naval confrontation loomed in the Gulf of Aden.

Response by SCPO David Lockwood made Aug 10 at 2015 5:58 AM

SCPO David Lockwood — Mon, 10 Aug 2015 05:58:12 -0400

To be honest, only time will tell. By judging by their past nothing but problems. They will probably continue to sponsor terrorism and threaten their neighboring countries, as they have in the past.

Response by SrA Daniel Hunter made Aug 10 at 2015 9:15 AM

SrA Daniel Hunter — Mon, 10 Aug 2015 09:15:29 -0400

Their actions on the Saudi blockade could be a genuine attempt to maintain the status quo. It could also be a ruse made to make us believe they are a rational actor ahead of the nuclear deal.

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Aug 10 at 2015 2:35 PM

MCPO Roger Collins — Mon, 10 Aug 2015 14:35:36 -0400

As with Putin's role in Russia, take advantage of a weak administration and control the region through a dominant military. Both are happening and unless we get an administration with some cajones, we will have another N. Korea with nucs and another cold War (if we are lucky) with the Ruskies.

Response by SSG Warren Swan made Aug 10 at 2015 3:14 PM

SSG Warren Swan — Mon, 10 Aug 2015 15:14:46 -0400

I wouldn't trust Iran any farther than I could throw them, but I caveat that with the thought I feel that way about any country to include allies in some cases. Iran is noted for their support of Hezbollah and their meddling in Iraq during the occupation and their "desire" to wipe out Israel. The last part of that is just bluster on Iran's part being they won't do anything to anyone directly. Iran also has a bit to loose in the area being that ISIS doesn't discriminate based on location or religious preference. If they want your land, and your people are sheep to the point that they won't fight, then ISIS has another foothold. So it'd be in their best interests to "play ball" publicly and use the IRCG and the Quds forces as they have in the past. Personally I'd be more worried about Chinas emerging dominance in the seas and in the cyber realm than Iran's BS posturing. China is actually taking actions to back up their words.

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 19 at 2015 7:49 AM

PO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 19 Oct 2015 07:49:46 -0400

only time can tell ... ...

I can only hope that it turn out good ...

Response by SGT William Howell made Oct 30 at 2015 8:06 AM

SGT William Howell — Fri, 30 Oct 2015 08:06:12 -0400

Obama can't wait to give them nukes. These guys could shoot down our planes and we would still give them the OK to fire up their bomb making plant.

As for their role in the world. I am pretty sure I would consider them the taint.

Response by Col Joseph Lenertz made Apr 1 at 2016 8:48 AM

Col Joseph Lenertz — Fri, 01 Apr 2016 08:48:49 -0400

Watch "Team America, World Police". Iran's role is the same as N. Korea's. Great movie to summarize international relations. I'm not giving it away...you have to watch it.