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In response to today's Tony Blair new round of attacks against Iran, Foreign Policy Centre in England in a statement suggested to the British PM to "think counter-intuitively about Iran, rather than simply upping the rhetoric."
The statement reads, "The Iranians want to engage with the West on a wide range of issues, including regional peace and security. The proposal by Tehran of a regional security organisation should be taken seriously by the US and the EU."
Despite the fact that Iran being one of the exceptions in the Middle East in terms of having a more advanced democratic system, Mr Blair today accused Tehran of being the most undemocratic nation in the Middle East and suggested, "We have to wake up. These forces of extremism based on a warped and wrong-headed interpretation of Islam aren't fighting a conventional war, but they are fighting one against us."
Blair, who is due to step down as prime minister next year, said: "And 'us' is not just the West, still less simply America and its allies. 'Us' is all those who believe in tolerance, respect for others and liberty."
He went on saying, "We must mobilise our alliance of moderation in this region and outside it to defeat the extremists."
As one of the critics to Blair's speech said, looking at the UK and US alliances in the region one can figure out that what kind of regimes Mr Blair is referring to as the moderate ones.
ALEX BIGHAM, Iran Analyst of the Foreign Policy Centre today said: "Iran does have legitimate security concerns, when they are surrounded regionally by nuclear powers and US troops. Persuading the Iranians not to start a regional nuclear arms race and to stop meddling in Iraq and Lebanon can only be achieved if we offer them major incentives in return - the status of a leading role in regional security could unlock the current crisis."
The centre which has close link to Tony Blair's wing in the ruling Labour party added, "Blair's speech today had the right mood music - he is correct to focus on Iran as a problem affecting the wider Middle East. However, neither the US and UK seem to be able to answer the fundamental question - How do you deal with a problem like Iran?"
The centre added, "Blair's alliance of moderation should not be exclusively focused on the moderate Gulf states, or he risks pitting Sunni government against Iran's Shi'a theocracy. With the reformist forces gaining support after their election victories over the weekend, the 'alliance of moderation' must extend to moderates in Iran. There will only be support for long term change in Iran if there is a positive offer on the table, more than the rather piecemeal offer of aircraft spare parts in return for Iran ending its nuclear ambitions."
to see Blair's speech go @ BBC
