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The 24-page report said an attack on Iran would be largely perceived as another aggression towards the Muslim world. |
CAIRO — A coalition of 17 independent British think tanks and faith organizations warned on Monday, February 5, that any military adventure against Iran would unleash disastrous consequences for the Middle East and the wider world, urging a diplomatic approach.
"The consequences of any possible future military action could be wholly counter-productive as well as highly dangerous," they cautioned in a report titled "Time to Talk - The Case for Diplomatic Solutions on Iran."
The 24-page report warned that a strike against Iran would be an "inflammation" of the Middle East region and the world as a whole.
"Military action is not likely to be a short, sharp engagement but could have a profound effect on the region, with shock waves felt far beyond."
The US has recently been upping the ante against Tehran, restoring to the same aggressive rhetoric that preceded the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003.
President George Bush has also beefed up the US military presence in the Gulf to its highest level since the Iraq war.
The authors insist the attack on Iran would be largely perceived as another aggression towards the Muslim world, fuelling the growing anti-Western sentiment.
They maintain the war would also strengthen Iranian nuclear ambitions.
"It is expected if military action were undertaken it could deepen the resolve of the Iranian regime to become a nuclear power and would likely lead to Iran's withdrawal from the Non-Proliferation Treaty."
The report warned that a possible strike could create even greater instability in current hotspots like Iraq and Afghanistan, and exacerbate insecurity over energy supplies, damaging the global economy.
Among the report's authors are the development charity Oxfam, the Blairite think-tank the Foreign Policy Centre, along with Unison, Amicus and the GMB -- three of Britain's biggest trade unions.
Also co-authoring the report are religious organizations such as the umbrella Muslim Council of Britain, and Pax Christi, an international Christian anti-war charity.
Dialogue
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"There is still time to talk and the prime minister must make sure our allies use it," Twigg said.
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The British coalition pressed for more diplomacy on Iran.
"Diplomatic solutions to the Iranian nuclear issue must be pursued resolutely," the report read.
"Real diplomatic options still exist, if a face-saving solution can be found to convince the protagonists to approach the table," said the authors.
They stressed "it cannot be said that the potential for diplomacy has been explored fully when direct talks between Iran and the US have not taken place."
They called on Britain to use its diplomatic clout with the United States to "advocate for direct US engagement" to resolve the standoff.
"There is still time to talk and the prime minister must make sure our allies use it," said Stephen Twigg, director of the Foreign Policy Centre.
"Only through direct US-Iranian engagement can an agreement be found."
The report's recommendations for peaceful solution include removing or finding a compromise on preconditions to talks, such as the insistence Iran suspend uranium enrichment.
"The idea of a 'Grand Bargain' should not be dismissed outright."
The report suggested developing a package of incentives made by major world powers to Iran last June in return for its suspension of sensitive nuclear work.
The report came a few hours after three former high-ranking US military officers published a letter in the Sunday Times, urging the Bush administration to open talks "without preconditions" with the Iranian government.
Click hereto read the report in full.
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