IRAN'S RESPONSE TO EMBASSY ATTACK IS PREDICTABLE BUT DANGEROUS.

 

The recent attack on the Iranian Embassy in Beirut, has left little doubt that the prediction of a widening Syrian conflict is all but becoming true. 

The deadly attack was carried out in typical Al Qaeda fashion.  A double bomb blast detonated expertly to make the most damage, and kill the intended target, in this case, an Iranian Embassy official.

It did not take long before an Al Qaeda affiliated group claimed responsibility for the act.  

Although investigative efforts are still at a preliminary stage, it might very well be that Al Qaeda intends to transform the entire MIddle East and Asia Minor into its own sectarian battleground. 

The consequences of a pan-Arabic conflict in the Middle East along sectarian lines, would have catastrophic consequences.  Pressure is mounting on all sides to avoid Iran from becoming a nuclear power and exercising even more influence on Shi'a majority countries to do its bidding. 

But Iran does not see it that way.  To deny the obvious would not serve it any purpose. What it needs, is to create a diversion that will mobilize Shi'a countries to attack Israel, or at least spread further hatred, and this, the bombing of its Embassy in Beirut, might just be a pretext good enough to do so. 

Iran has expressed unequivocally that it believes Israel is the agent provocateur in this case, operating behind curtains to create the premise for a strike on Iran's nuclear facilities. 

The specific language used in the Iranian statement was : "An inhumane crime and spiteful act done by Zionists and their mercenaries."  

With the situation in Syria and neighboring countries devolving into unrest and sectarian strife daily, there are some very serious questions as to the stability of peace in the Middle East. 

Op_Ed

Partial Source : France 24/ 11.19.13