Possible US attack on Iran would destabilize region: Speakers

ISLAMABAD: The possible US attack on Iran would destabilize the region and could cause grave implications for Pakistan.

This was observed by speakers during a conference entitled "Sanctions of Iran: Emerging Scenario" organized by the Institute of Policy Studies on the eve of UN Security Resolution deadline that entails the threat of harsher sanctions on Wednesday.

The panel of speakers included Khalid Mehmood, former Ambassador; Lt. Gen. (R) Talat Masood, Ex. Secretary of Defense Production; Fasih Uddin, Ex. Chief Economist; Dr. Nazir Hussain, Asstt. Prof. at Quaid-i-Azam University; Barrister Sadia Abbasi, Member Senate, Pakistan while Tanvir Ahmed Khan, Ex- Foreign Secretary, chaired the session.

Khalid Mehmood observed that the history of sanctions have mixed outcomes where in some cases it had worked and others it did not.

He warned if the US and the UN impose added sanctions it would have a negative impact. "It may further antagonize Iran which can withdraw from NPT and there would be more support of Iranian people for their nuclear program," he commented.

About the use of military against Iran Gen. Talat Masood observed that the chapter 7 of the UN resolution forbade the use of military means against Iran.

He said that Iran had the equal right to safeguard its energy and security concerns. About the Iran resilience in face of the US, he said that the US was in quagmire in different conflicts which had emboldened Iran whereas the latter also had economic prosperity due to its oil reserves.

But he warned that the implications of attack on Iran would be gravefor Pakistan and the latter could play a constructive role in stopping an attack on Iran as Pakistan have historical, religious and cultural links with Iran while acting as an ally with the US in its war on terror.

Fasih Uddin observed that although Iran looked stable economically yet it had few vulnerable economic points which can be a problem in case of harsh sanctions.

Regarding the US strategic planning in the region, Prof. Nazir Hussain observed that the US was planning to promote sectarian divide in the region and thus far weaken the states in the Middle East on sectarian lines.

Senator Saadia Abbasi also supported this viewpoint. She commented that there was a vacuum of leadership in the Muslim World and the US was exploiting it.

She urged the government not to be part of any plan of attack on Iran. "Our interests should be to come closer to Iran," she suggested.

While summing up the session, Mr. Tanvir Ahmad Khan said that the long drawn confrontation between the US and Iran was not because of the latter’s nuclear program but this was started with establishment of Islamic revolution as it was a huge blow to the America’s Middle

He also pointed towards the new trends in global politics and the rise of Russia and its possible new role as key player world affairs.

The conference was attended by intellectuals, foreign diplomats, academicians and students who took part in question and answers session.