Why is Iran Next?

[Owlet]

Can you say "Oil Pipeline"? Read this excellent short history from Asia Times.


http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/FI28Ak01.html

The arrival of Western oil companies in Azerbaijan and the development
of that country's offshore energy infrastructure were treated with the
greatest levels of concern in Tehran. This was accentuated by Iran
missing out on a lucrative deal to act as a transit route for the
export of Azeri oil via the Persian Gulf. The Americans applied intense pressure to persuade all parties concerned to replace the most
convenient and economically efficient route (ie Iran) with the Turkish
port of Ceyhan - the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan route. Moreover, the Iranians
feared that oil exploration activities in the Caspian were beginning to encroach on its yet to be determined territorial waters. Thus in early 2001, the Iranian navy fired warning shots at an exploration boat belonging to BP and forced it to sail away.

The ever-increasing concentration of US energy interests in Azerbaijan
has brought the country under greater US influence. This influence grew exponentially after the terrorist assaults on September 11, 2001, to cover security and military fields. Indeed, the Americans seized the opportunity to establish a visible military presence in Central Asia and the Caucasus. Although publicly the Americans deny maintaining military forces in Azerbaijan, the Iranians have on numerous occasions complained to the Baku government about the presence of US military "advisers" in the country. The Iranians are also concerned about the concentration of US signals intelligence (SIGINT) resources in the south of the republic, close to the border with Iran.

[obnoxiousdrunk]

1. Because

Sharon says so.

[democratreformed]

2. Can you say petroeuro?

That was Iraq's fatal mistake too - seriously considering changing their oil trade to euros. Iran is now doomed too unless they quit talking about it.

I honestly believe this is what it's all about.