Guardian investigation ups the ante
The Guardian investigation into Iran’s involvement in the kidnapping of five British nationals in May 2007 has opened Pandora’s Box on the Iranian issue. The Guardian revealed over the Christmas holidays-in light of the release of hostage Peter Moore-that evidence suggests the kidnapping was carried out by members of the special Quds force of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard. The British foreign office denies the charge, saying there is no evidence to suggest that the hostages were taken across the Iraq-Iran border. However, head of US forces in Iraq General David Petraeus told the Guardian that Peter Moore, Jason Swindlehurst, Jason Creswell, Alec Maclachlan and Alan McMenemy were held in Iran for some of their captivity.
The revelation is not an easy pill for the British government to swallow. Admittance to Iran’s involvement in the attack would force the UK to act on the information, and possibly sever ties to the Iranian regime. This move would prove disastrous for Britain’s hope to play a key role alongside the US in the stalled nuclear negotiations. And put aptly in a Guardian podcast, it would “take Britain out of the game”, a dreary prospect for a nation set on proving it still has worth in the international arena.
The UK foreign office certainly seems keen to push this skeleton back in the closet; after all, the timing could not be worse. As Britain returns to the Iraq Inquiry following a holiday recession period, the incident hammers another nail in the coffin for the UK’s blundering decision to invade Iraq on America’s coattails. Not only did Britain entangle itself in an illegal war, it also strengthened Iranian Shi’ite influence on its neighbour.
This is not to say that the problem should be resolved by military action against Iran. Another Middle East conflict is the last thing needed for Britain, the US, and its allies. Not only would it be hugely unpopular, but potentially devastating for all nations still mired in the grip of the financial crisis. And there is nothing to suggest that this is where we are heading. But the question remains about whether Britain should cut diplomatic ties with the Iranian government. In light of the growing civil unrest in the country and the suppression of opposition supporters by the Iranian leadership, drawing a line in the sand would at least demonstrate a sign of courage and resolve over the issue.
Although snubbing Tehran may not be the wisest strategy. Ahmadinejad’s administration is bent on exploiting its tensions with the West in a bid to shore up domestic support. A move against the Iranians may just be the clincher needed to cement the government’s position. It is clear that the UK has dug itself into a chasm, and there is little the country can do to pull itself out again. There is no doubt that more causalities will follow from this dangerous game. And there is even less likelihood that the UK will learn from its mistakes. But the Guardian investigation has upped the ante, and this time it may be harder to sweep the truth under the table.
Tags: Ahmadinejad, Alan McMenemy, Alec Maclachlan, Britain, General David Petraeus, Guardian investigation, hostages, Iran, Jason Creswell, Jason Swindlehurst, opposition in Iran, Peter Moore, Tehran, West
