Focus on Iran Part 1

There is perhaps no nation in the world that is very important to current international affairs but less known and understood than the Islamic Republic of Iran. The Islamic Republic of Iran is a nation in Southwest Asia often rated as a developing country. To most of us in this part of the world (Africa), Iran is best referred as terrorist state, more interested in wars and perhaps hostile to its neighbours. My visit to Iran on 9 May 2008, revolutionized by thought process about Iran and everything about international politics. I realized the power play in international politics and why Africa should consider going to the East. The opinions expressed in this paper are based on my observations in Tehran the capital of Iran and I feel obliged to share them with fellow compatriots.

GEO-POLITICS OF IRAN
Iran, formerly known internationally as Persia until 1935, is a country in Central Eurasia, located on the northeastern shore of the Persian Gulf. It is a country of special geostrategic significance due to its central location in Eurasia and to all those nations searching for oil and gas. Its area roughly equals that of the United Kingdom (UK), France, Spain, and Germany combined. Iran consists of the Iranian Plateau with the exception of the coasts of the Caspian Sea and Khuzestan. Iran is bordered on the north by Armenia, Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan. Being a littoral state of the Caspian sea, an internal sea and condominium, Kazakhstan and Russia are also Iran's direct neighbors to the north. On the east by Afghanistan and Pakistan; on the south by the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman; and on the west by Turkey and Iraq.

The political system of the country is based on the 1979 Constitution. The system comprises several intricately connected governing bodies. The Supreme Leader of Iran is responsible for delineation and supervision of the general policies of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The Supreme Leader is Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces, controls the military intelligence and security operations; and has sole power to declare war or peace. The country has a President who is the highest state authority. The President is elected by universal suffrage for a term of four years and can only be re-elected for one term. The President is responsible for the implementation of the Constitution and for the exercise of executive powers, except for matters directly related to the Supreme Leader, who has the final say in all matters.

ECONOMY
The Prior to the visit to Tehran, my impression about Iran was basically all that the CNN feeds us with. We are made to understand that Iran is a developing nation like most countries in Africa. I however have a different opinion concerning all that. Starting with economy, the Islamic Republic of Iran’s economy is based on a mixture of central planning, state ownership of oil and other large enterprises, rural agriculture, and small-scale private trading and service ventures. Its economic infrastructure is highly improved comparable with most European nations. The service sector contributes the largest percentage of the GDP, followed by industry (mining and manufacturing) and agriculture. In 2006, about 45% of the government's budget came from oil and natural gas revenues, and 31% came from taxes and fees. It is reported that the country has earned over $70 billion in foreign exchange reserves mostly (80%) from crude oil exports (2007). In 2007, the GDP was estimated at $206 billion ($852 billion at PPP), or $3,160 per capita ($12,300 at PPP). Because of these figures and the country’s diversified but small industrial base, the United Nations (UN) classifies Iran's economy as semi-developed.

THE WEST AND IRAN
To the West, Iran is nothing but a rogue state. As a result of its strategic presence in the Middle East, it has been severally sanctioned. For instance, the United States (US) and its European allies fear Iranian nuclear enrichment program which they believe is intended for use to develop material for nuclear weapons under the guise of a civilian nuclear power program. As a result, the United Nations (UN) Security Council adopted three sets of sanctions against Iran. The US, the European Union, as well as individual European Union (EU) members have imposed their own financial measures against Iranian entities and individuals. On 19 July 2008, the six nations of Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia and the US set an informal two-week deadline for Iran to either accept or reject a package of economic incentives in return for curbing its uranium enrichment.

However, Iran by virtue of its geopolitics is a regional power that has over the years occupied an important position in international energy security and world economy as a result of its large reserves of petroleum and natural gas. Importantly, Iran according to some analysts could choke the West's oil supplies in the event of war with America and its allies. Iran also has the naval capacity to temporarily block the Straits of Hormuz (the entrance into the Gulf) and interfere with global commerce if they should choose to do so.

The country’s nuclear enrichment program has continually occupied the frontline in international peace and security matters. The response of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad concerning the nuclear program is that Iran seeks for a common ground with the US and the other five powers that have proposed the incentives for Teheran to freeze its nuclear enrichment program.

REGIONAL IRAN
The unfolding events concerning Iran and the 6 power countries are the routine power play in the international system. The West particularly is very concerned about Iranian self sufficiency initiative. Despite the sanctions, the country is been able to overcome its numerous challenges through good internal governance anchored on equity and justice. As a result, its numerous oil and gas resource has continued to be a blessing to its development efforts. Iran is not experiencing any of those hardship and misery that is often associated with societies where oil and gas is found. As we all know, petroleum-producing countries are plagued by corrupt and authoritarian governments, lopsided and unsustainable economic development and violent conflict. Also they are often inflicted by foreign powers influences and their huge multinational oil companies who often maneuver for control of the oil fields through clandestine operations or outright military intervention.

In the case of Iran, the country was able to nationalize its oil and gas resources in the early 70s and began as massive human resource development which has culminated into various sectoral developmental efforts. Its research and development efforts are comparable with those in the West. The Institute for International Energy Studies, the Technology Research and Development Center are some of the agencies that are responsible for energy development in Iran. Iran has continually guarded against unnecessary West influence in its oil and gas sector. The policy direction both domestically and internationally in Iran is no doubt yielding positive results to the people of Iran.

Above all, Iran has proved to be a role model through its system of democracy to its neighbors. The modern government in Iran is based on constitution, civilization and democracy. Significantly, Iran has a strong nationalist orientation that may not be comparable in any part of the world. Its perception of Islamic universalism has continued to be a source of worry to the West.

Question: What is your opinion about Iran in International Peace and Security?