18.04.2012

Mobilise against threat

We must mobilse against the threat of war with Iran says Yassamine Mather

On Saturday April 14, Iran attended talks on its nuclear programme with six world powers in Istanbul. In the end, this ‘summit’ was little more than talks about talks - to take place in May in Baghdad. The uneasy stand-off continues and the strong possibility remains of an attack on Iran within months. Indeed, the outcome of the meeting has provoked a degree of cynicism, with press outlets in the US, the UK and Israel pointing out that Syria now seems to have learned the ‘Iran method’ - that is, agree to talks simply to buy time and postpone intervention.

Israel’s so-called ‘frustration’ threatens to boil over - there is no guarantee that it will simply wait. A major Israeli TV station has reported that the country’s air force is psyched up for an attack on Iran. ­A reporter from Channel 10 spent several weeks interviewing pilots and other military personnel at an Israeli air base and remarked upon the palpable sense of excitement they displayed at the prospect of Israel’s first full-scale air campaign in 30 year. Many spoke openly about the “years of preparation” that are now almost over, as the momentum towards military action gathers pace. The reporter, Alon Ben-David, saw “dozens if not more planes” being readied to carry out an attack on Iran’s nuclear sites, including F-15 fighter jets, escort planes and air tankers to refuel the squadron en route to its target.

An attack on Iran would be a disaster and threaten to unleash reactionary developments across the region. Hands Off the People of Iran has organised a school over the weekend on April 21-22 to arm comrades in the workers’ and progressive movement with a thorough understanding of the pressures that are now pushing towards another catastrophic war in the Middle East.