Friday, March 30th, 2012

In the past couple weeks; the United States has recognized the possibility of a war between Iran and Israel. With many tensions of the Middle East relating to Israel, this does not come as a surprise. Israel, which has been the subject of many conflicts and wars in the past, is fearful of the advancing nuclear program in Iran. With a nuclear Iran, Israel would have to be more careful in its foreign relations in the Middle East. The United States would also need to take some caution in handling the unpredictable Iran. Iran has been deterred from building a nuclear device by many means, such as a computer worm planted in Iran’s main nuclear facility, Natanz. If the conflict between Israel and Iran continues war will certainly break out, and possibly draw the United States in.

On May 14, 1948, Israel was created by the Allied Powers of World War 2. The location on the bank of the Mediterranean was home to the Palestinians. Although they were not a formal country, the nations of the Middle East respected them as such. The creation of Israel represented western influence to the countries of the Middle East. After centuries of western dominance in the Middle East, Middle Eastern countries were fed up. The nations of Egypt, Transjordan, Syria, Lebanon and Iraq refused to accept the UN plan. They proclaimed the right of self-determination for the Palestinians, but when the UN refused, they declared war on Israel. This war was not the first. From 1948 to present day, there have been several conflicts, and Israel has won them all with the help of the United States. Some westerners even believe that Israel has earned the right to remain in the Middle East.

Iran is a Middle Eastern country that is believed to be one of Israel’s worst enemies. This conflict between the two countries is nothing new. Hostilities began in the early 80s when Ayatollah Khomeini over threw the Shah. He believed that Israel was a United States satellite state which gave the US special influence in the region. Leaders of Iran have stated on numerous occasions that Israel does not deserve to be a country. Israel has also created tension by criticized leaders and showing deep suspicion. With the developing nuclear program in Iran, Israel has even more suspicion than ever. It is generally believed that Israel has been covertly attempting to deter the program’s progress. Top Iranian nuclear engineer Mostafa Ahmadi Roshan was killed in a planned car bombing which is believed to have been planned by Israelis. The suspicion of the Israelis and advancing nuclear program of Iran could lead to a war.

In the event of a war, Iran holds a key strategic position. Iran has threatened Israel and the United States that if war begins, Iran will close the Straits of Hormuz in the Persian Gulf. The Straits of Hormuz is a narrow waterway where a significant portion of the world’s oil flows through. By Iran closing the Strait, the United States could be threatened with an oil crisis. Without oil, the war effort would be crippled and the home front would also be endangered.

The Iranian-Israeli conflict is one that needs to be handled with care. A war involving Iran and Israel would surely draw in the United States. It is clear that a war of this magnitude would lead to hundreds of American deaths and the destruction of the Middle East. If Iran develops a nuclear bomb, the war could quickly turn nuclear and wreak havoc on the Middle East.