Iran Defending its Sovereignty

Iran's recent capture of British soldiers treading into Iranian waters comes at an important time. Whether the British expedition into the Iranian side of the Persian Gulf comprised a threat is besides the question. Similarly, whether the British sailors were actually in Iranian waters is irrelevant. The important factor to consider is the message that Iran is sending; particularly to the US - If we believe or suspect a nation is conspiring against us or inhibiting our sovereignty, we will take action.

The key word is "suspect". Iran is only mimicking the US strategy of preemptive action against nations that it believes pose a threat. It is the US that has justified war through artificial, imagined, and feigned scenarios, and it is the US that has killed thousands of civilians due to the fake paranoia it facilitates in order to maintain its hegemonic superiority. Yet the difference with Iran is that its paranoia is warranted. Why? Iran faces the wrath of two nuclear powers in the US (and its British lackey) and Israel and sees a neighbouring country rich in petroleum reserves being ravaged to no extent.

Iran also knows that it is constantly under surveillance through US satellites, reconnaissance drones, and CIA operatives. It would be naive to assume otherwise. Iran can very easily thwart these spying efforts, but it also knows that any attempts to directly defend its sovereignty would amount to a declaration of war. The US is patiently waiting for any impetus to strike at the heart of Tehran. All they need is one excuse to dupe their masses into clamouring for war - again.

This is why Iran has strategically chosen Britain as bait. The British sailors aren't linked to the US military and the capture does not amount to an attack on the US, while at the same time the message the action sends is loud and clear. Furthermore, the British cannot launch an invasion into Iran by themselves because they simply do not have the capability to do so. Nevertheless, the capture could prove to be costly as the US government spin doctors in collaboration with independent PR firms could justify preemptive actions against Iran under the pretext of "coming to the aid of the civilized allies in the face of evil."

However, the Bush administration is also having its fair share of headache with both houses of Congress over the Iraq war, and proposing an attack on Iran would exacerbate the situation. Regardless, we have seen what has happened when "rogue" regimes stand up to US hegemony (i.e.: North Korea) and those that cannot (i.e.: Iraq).