U.S.-Iran mini war

The Bush administration announced recently imposing sanctions against seven foreign companies, two from India and two from Russia, for having business dealings with Iran, claiming that those deals involve "sensitive technology".

The announcement came to fuel the current tensions between the U.S. and Iran over the Islamic republic's nuclear program and its support for the Lebanese resistance movement Hezbollah, currently in fierce military confrontation with the U.S.'s main ally in the Middle East, Israel.

Many would ask in what way the growing hostilities between the United States and Iran are affecting the Middle East region.

Recent escalation and war of words between Tehran and Washington, which, backed by Israel, has long been lobbying international support to get the United Nations Security Council sanction the Islamic Republic for its refusal to suspend its nuclear program, could be seen as some of the most dangerous legacies of the old century to the new, according to UK's The Guardian.

The reason the relation between those two countries is so complicated is that they both have so many connections and interests in common, the editorial added.

It could also be seen as dangerous for it directly affects the current turmoil and bloodshed Israel initiated in the Middle East, same way it fueled violence between Iran and Iraq during 1979-1988 war, fought for nearly nine years, during which both countries suffered millions of casualties and billions of dollars in damage.

Washington's stance from Iran as one of its most deadly opponents resembles to a great extent the way Israel views the Islamic Republic; a major threat to its strategic hegemony and a country that must be prevented by all means from acquiring "nuclear weapons".

Israel's offensive launched last month on Lebanon is not mainly targeting Hezbollah- it's intended at its foremost supporter, i.e. Iran.

The onslaught which has so far killed more than 900 Lebanese, according to many officials, wasn't triggered by the capture of two Israeli soldiers by Hezbollah, it was just an opportunity to deal a major blow to Iran by crushing its Lebanese "proxy", The Guardian editorial further stated.

What's behind Washington's insistence on delaying diplomatic efforts which could have brought an earlier end to bloodshed in Lebanon? Analysts argue that for the U.S, taking down Iran was more important than saving the Lebanese dying everyday in the war-devastated country, or the few killed in Israel.

The wide spread propaganda about Iran's determination to "wipe out" Israel off the map or its incapability "of envisaging a friendly relationship with the United States," as the editorial said, is mere claims and far from the truth.

The other face of Iran, a country that's willing to have positive ties with the west, is still there and not totally disempowered.

Talks involving the need for strong friendship with the U.S. have been a feature of Iranian politics since its war with Iraq ended more than 17 years ago.

Former Iranian President Rafsanjani had previously attempted to initiate negotiations with Washington by offering an oil deal. Also President Khatami once called for a dialogue between civilisations.

To end the current conflict in Lebanon, Iran must be consulted. And if the ongoing exchange of threats between Iran and Israel came to an end, there will sooner or later have to be a true bargain between the United States and Iran, the editorial said.

Labeling Iran, which expressed strong sympathy for the victims of the brutal attacks on September 11, 2001 on the United States, as a member of the "axis of evil" was "a piece of grossly irresponsible rhetoric" by President Bush.