Iran Blames Pipeline Explosion on Western Enemies

by Caitlin McDonald
TA: Armel 10am F

This article that highlighted the division still apparent between some western countries and Iran is over the bombing by “Western terrorists” on a gas pipeline near the holy city of Qom. Parviz Sorouri is head of the parliament’s national security committee and stated, “By issuing resolutions and organizing terrorist activities, Western countries are aiming to redirect the events in Bahrain and Libya toward Iran.” Iranian officials are still investigating the situation for a cause, but nonetheless, the anti-West feelings still carry over from the subjects mentioned in Jeurgensmeyer’s book Global Rebellion. Even further, Iranian religious leaders are not happy with the helpful involvement of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates in the civilian unrest in Bahrain, “a Shiite majority state with which Iran has long historical and religious ties.” (Yong)

Iran is still shaky in the terms of international relations because they do not support the revolutions in North Africa and fail to comply with international nuclear program standards. They still do not have sufficient relations with the US and other western countries because of their opposition to Israel and highly religiously penetrated government. I wonder if the future of Iranian government will change due to the revolutions in North Africa, but as of now they are still quite conservative.

Yong, William. "Iran Blames Pipeline Explosion on Western Enemies." Middle East. New York Times, 11 Apr. 2011. Web. 11 Apr. 2011. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/12/world/middleeast/12iran.html?_r=1&ref=iran.