Secret report throws light on Iran's strategy in stand-off
Sunday, 15th January 2006
Iran Focus
London, Jan. 15 - A secret document obtained by Iran Focus shows that recent political developments in Syria and Lebanon have aroused deep anxiety among the top commanders of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), who see the events as "a direct threat to the national security" of the Islamic Republic and who want to speed up the development of nuclear weapons.
The document, provided to Iran Focus by a reliable source in Iran, is a political analysis of the situation by the IRGC leadership prepared earlier this month for circulation among the clerical regime's top officials. The paper, entitled "Recent occurrences in Syria and their effects on the region", warns that the "rapidly changing" political climate in the Middle East, particularly in Syria and Lebanon, would be "significantly detrimental" to Tehran's interests.
The IRGC leadership identified the United States military presence in the Persian Gulf region as "the root of evil" and said "greater measures" were needed to counter it.
"From a strategic point of view, any change in, or destabilisation of, Syria will reduce or eliminate the calculations and reach of the Islamic Republic of Iran to counter the threats posed by the Zionist regime", the Revolutionary Guards commanders said, referring to Israel.
"The plot that is being implemented in Lebanon with quickening steps aims to change the political makeup of the country and its officials and their positions, so that they force Hezbollah to accept the new imposed realities".
Elsewhere in the report, Iran's nuclear program is highlighted as the "next target" of the international community. The paper argues that the West will attempt to prevent Tehran from acquiring nuclear capabilities and that the Islamic Republic must push forward with its nuclear advancements in order to ensure its survival.
The paper concludes by saying, "Altogether, in all the regions mentioned from Syria to Iraq, and Lebanon to Palestine, the desire of Arab leaders to remain in power in return for cooperating with America brings with it active and potential threats which directly threaten Iran's interests and national security, while at the same time progressively and quietly limiting the areas that are within our reach and weakening our regional tools and assets".
"These two points, when considered alongside other active threats, can be significantly detrimental to the Islamic Republic's interests and security. Vigilance, wisdom, and well-planned and comprehensive measures are required to deal with these threats", the top IRGC commanders noted.
