Behind the Headlines/June 25

In tonight’s program we will look at the tension between Tehran and Washington over the issue of Iran’s attempts to renew its uranium enrichment activities and its support for terrorism in the Middle East.

We will find out what the US, Israelis and Russians have been talking about in their meeting in Tel Aviv.

We will also look at the demand of the 14 Iranian dissidents and human rights activists for Khamenei’s resignation and fundamental changes in Iran’s Constitution.

We discuss these latest developments with our guests, Dr. Massoud Noghrekar and Amir Hossein Etemadi.

Massoud Noghrekar:

The tension between US and Iran is nothing new. As a matter of fact it has been going on for the last 40 yearsnonstop with its ups and downs.

The Islamic republic regime has had the main role in causing this tension, which is regarded as a crisis in the region as it seeks to interfere in the internal affairs of the neighbouringcountries under the pretext of “exporting” its revolution.

After the seizure of the US embassy in Tehran this tension entered a new phase and in response the Americans have also fanned the flames of this tension.

However, during the rule of the Democrats in US we would have seen some easing of this tension but then once the Republicans have moved into the White House we have gone back to the same situation again.

However, all in all I believe the main advocate of this crisis is the Iranian regime and we have now reached a very dangerous stage as the regime’s activities in the region have increased and the Trump administration is determined to face the regime and the outlook for a military confrontation is in sight.

We must note that in such a scenario it would not be a US verses Iran only, but the countries of the region will also join Washington in any military move which means our country is in a very dangerous situation indeed.

Amir Hossein Etemadi:

The roots of this tension can be found in the so-called anti-Americanism of the Iranian regime, which began when it came to power in Iran 40 years ago.

In between, the regime has signed the nuclear deal with the US but even this agreement had its own opponents both inside Iran and America, especially among the Republicans in the US Congress.

While the US was hoping that the nuclear deal would be an incentive to the Iranian regime to curtail its nuclear activities and nefarious regional activities, none of these happened and with the hundreds of millions of dollars that it received the regime instead fanned the flames of instabilities in the Middle East.

Trump is right to say that thedeal boosted the regime’s power for its nefarious objectives and is now intent to stop them.