US Unnecessary Concerns Over Iranian Nuclear Program

In his telephone conversation with Turkish Prime Minister Ragheb Tayyip Erdogan, US President Barack Obama has said that Iran's recent steps would not help in improving mutual trust. Efforts will be continued for imposing new sanctions against Iran.

During his talk with Erdogan, Obama acknowledged Turkey and Brazil's efforts for reaching an agreement under which Iran agreed to send half of its low-enriched uranium to Turkey for conversion into nuclear fuel. However, the US president maintained that the international community does have concerns over Iran's overall nuclear program.

Proposed UN Sanctions

Meanwhile, Iran while rejecting the proposed UN sanctions against it stated that they would not make any effect on it, but would further strain its relations with the United States. Iran's agreement with Turkey and Brazil regarding conversion of uranium into nuclear fuel has also been presented to the UN Security Council.

President Obama's statements suggest that the United States is not willing to show any flexibility in spite of Teheran's soft attitude on its nuclear material, and Washington continues the practice of making demands to Teheran. Thus, it is apprehended that Iran too can withdraw from its flexible attitude after issuance of such statements by the US president, which will again make the issue more critical.

The US Administration should now realize that the way it wants to change the world always created problems in the past, and it is again now becoming a cause of creating new problems. Particularly, its attitude towards Iran is beyond one's ken.

The United States describes Iran's program as a threat to the region as well as the entire world, However, it is not noticing the aggressive activities and expansionist designs of Israel in the same region. Until today, Iran has not occupied any other country's areas. However, the entire world knows about Israel that it occupied Palestinian areas, is making a continuous expansion, while the Palestinian areas are becoming limited.

Israel's Violent Activities
Israel's violent activities continue. On 20 May also, Israeli Army assaulted Palestinian women and children in Janine city of the occupied West Bank. Such activities continue for the last 60 years. But, perhaps the United States, its allies and the supporter countries do not see it as they always keep the direction of the cannons of their statements toward Iran.

Since Iran's agreement with Turkey and Brazil regarding nuclear fuel has been presented to the UN Security Council, it is needed that this institute, which is a guarantor of world peace, should be let free to take an independent decision. The United States and its allied countries should avoid influencing it, as it can mar any improving situation.

Israeli Raids on Masjid-e Aqsa Worsen Chances of Peace in Region

The entry of the Israeli Army into Masjid-e Aqsa, and beating and baton charging those saying prayers there, confirms the apprehension expressed by the Mufti-e-Azam of Egypt that Israeli was planning to demolish Masjid-e Aqsa. He said Israel might demolish the place of worship even during the current month, and replace it with its own synagogue. He has warned that in that event, the situation in the entire region would become extremely dangerous and explosive.

New Jewish Settlements
The Israeli Army stormed into the mosque, desecrated the mosque, and beat up those saying prayers after closing the mosque's doors. This makes one realize what plans Israel is contemplating. The Israeli Army action has taken place at a time when it has to face the wrath and admonition of the United States on its announcement of constructing Jewish residential settlements in occupied Gaza areas. The United States has criticized the move, and unambiguously said that the plan would be extremely damaging to the efforts of establishment of peace in the region. It said the announcement with regard to construction of new Jewish settlements even while the US Vice President Joe Biden was visiting Israel amounts to contempt of the United States.

The attitude that the United States has now adopted toward Israel is entirely different from all its earlier stands. Yet, it would be too early to presume that the United States has developed a soft corner for Palestinians, and that it is disturbed by Israeli actions. Despite it, one thing is clear that there is some slackness in the US attitude toward Israel and that it is taking the announcement made by Israel during Joe Biden's visit more as an affront to the United States than violation of Palestinians' rights.

What, after all, does the sudden entry of the Israeli Army into the mosque and thrashing of people there, indicate under these circumstances? It is as simple as that Israel, on one pretext or the other, wants to sabotage the efforts being made for establishment of peace in the Middle East, and as apprehended by the Egyptian Mufti-e Azam, Israel wants to demolish the mosque and construct its own place of worship on that site.

Rampant Violence
The sudden storming of the Israeli army into the mosque and the rampant violence indulged in has led to an outrage among Palestinians. It has also created of waves of annoyance and anger in the entire Islamic world as well. Despite the locking of the doors of the mosque and banning entry of people to say prayer there, Al Biariq Foundation, responsible for the security of the mosque, has claimed that it has succeeded in reaching the mosque along with citizens of the holy city.

The Muslim community is also angered by Israel's announcement to construct a Jewish place of worship in the vicinity of the mosque. It feels that Israel wants to deprive the Islamic community of the Masjid-e Aqsa under a conspiracy. At present, a situation has emerged in which thousands of Palestinians have left to reach the mosque to protect it. This gives rise to an apprehension that the situation may deteriorate and become extremely tense.

Disregard International Community
There is no need to comment on the place or respect Masjid-e Aqsa commands among the Muslim populace. Not only Arabs, but also Muslims living anywhere in the world support freeing of the mosque. They all have been demanding that the mosque be rescued. Yet, at a time when pressure is mounting from the United States and European community to get the Middle East issue resolved and commencement of the process of dialogue with Palestinians, the Israeli Army's entry into the mosque is evidence that the Jewish dispensation has mustered great courage to disregard the international community.

The Israeli Army action would not only have an adverse impact on the Middle East alone, but also on the entire Islamic world. The words of Egyptian Mufti-e Azam that it would grievously hurt the feeling all those who have faith in the world of God and in the international law appears to be 100 percent correct.

The prevailing situation in the Middle East has significantly indicate that the efforts being made by the United States for establishment of peace in the region are not going to bear fruit. Instead, it may further deteriorate the situation leading to tension and confrontation.