Sen. Chuck Hagel R-Neb said, “Unilateral sanctions rarely ever work…I just don’t think unilateral approach and giving war speeches helps situation. It will just drive the Iranians closer together.” Then why has the Bush Administration impose toughest set of sanctions on Iran? Make no mistake economic sanctions are acts of aggression, which lead to war. Sanctions create resentment against those imposing them, increase misery and poverty among the poorest and hurt the innocents while rarely hurt the privileged.

 

Sanctions may sound strong and punitive measures but in reality it is a failed policy. They have never worked in last four decades. We have embargoed Cuba in attempt to bring down Fidel Castro from power and yet he remains in power. But look at Soviet Union where we had encourage trade, culture and sports exchange, which eventually lead to the collapsed of Soviet Union. Hence economic engagement has proven an effective tool in tearing down dictatorship and brings about democracy. South Africa is another good example where sanctions were broken and did not work. US Government meddling in free market and to deny profitable opportunities for Americans is not a wise decision because the trade and commerce continues without American participation.

 

The imposition of sanctions by United Nation and US is misguided and harmful to peaceful dialogue. It is irresponsible to punish a Nation based not on actual violation of international law, but on pure speculation and distrust. It is reported extensively both by CIA and Israeli intelligence that there are no nuclear weapons program in Iran nor there is any evidence. While IAEA director-general Mohammed El-Baradei has repeated said that his inspectors have been unable to find any hard evidence of a secret Iranian nuclear weapons program.

 

Since Iran is signatory to the Article IV of 1968 Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), Iran is legally entitled to “develop research, production and use of nuclear energy for peaceful purpose without discrimination.” Though the nuclear technology could eventually lead to a nuclear weapon. So do all other signatories to the treaty, and that why’s we have inspectors. And who put United States in charge of deciding which countries can have nuclear program? Hence, are these sanctions justified as a “security concern” of the United Sates? The real purpose of the sanctions is to pave the way for justifying military action. These sanctions are impose to undermine the diplomatic process and justify the attack on Iran. Moreover, there is nothing transpiring in Iran that constitute as an imminent threat to the national security of United States

 

Taking Iran to UN Security Council, imposing unilateral sanctions, and increasing rhetoric of World War III is prelude for unilateral military action. Just as in the case of Iraq, none of the claims made by the neo-con in Washington stand up to unbiased scrutiny. Bush Administration has successfully maneuvered to take Iran’s legitimate rights away to label Iran a “violator, terrorist state and Axis of Evil.” Iran has submitted to the most comprehensive inspections and scrutiny above and beyond what is required by Non-Proliferation treaty (NPT) and none of these inspections have found any evidence that Iran is developing nuclear weapons programs. 

 

The American media is silent toward war with Iran with all of the incompetence and lack of integrity. When was the last time Iran invaded a foreign country? How many countries has United States invaded and how many times was it done on false pretexts? Let us not forget the propaganda of justification of the illegal invasion of Iraq. We are the only country that has used nuclear weapons against civilian population, have the largest stockpile of weapons of mass destruction and are in breach of Article VI of 1968 NPT treaty which clearly call for Nuclear powers to destroy nuclear weapons. Not only we have refuse to destroy our weapons but have build new nuclear bunker busting bombs and nuclear weapons systems at billions of taxpayers dollars.

 

Aftermath of post-September 11, 2001 and “Global War on Terror” Bush administration has successfully removed itself from legitimate oversight by claiming to be acting in the interest of homeland security. There is no doubt that US has violated Article 6 of the charter of the United Nation and violated US constitution by successfully manipulated the congress of United States through two War Powers resolution (Sept 2001 & Oct 2002). Now there no longer remains any Constitutional way out to the problem of unilateral military action against Iran by President Bush who has positioned himself to operate above the law and beyond legislative oversight.

 

 

I know that justification of war with Iran is weak, but from experience of invasion of Iraq that this administration does not need a good reason to start a war. War cannot destroy non-existent nuclear program, but they can destroy peace and cause resentment for many generation due to millions of casualties. I think that honest and sincere dialogue with mutual respect, free from hostile threats, is the only path to a peaceful resolution. The only way we can prevent a new and needless war with Iran is by public opinion, objections by the military generals and resistance by lawmakers in the congress. Lastly, where are those Bishops, priests and clergies who value the innocent life as sacred why are they silent!. “Silent No More! Speak Up!