Tensions Build in UK/Iran Standoff

Recently, there have been protests of the UK-Iran standoff in both Tehran and London. In Tehran, a small group of 200 students protested at the British embassy, chanting slogans such as "death to Britain," and "death to America." Similar protests happened at the Iranian embassy in London, with protestors calling for the release of the hostages.

The 15 British sailors and marines were captured a little over a week ago, when, according to Iran, their small patrol boats strayed into Iranian water. Britain maintains that the soldiers were on a routine patrol, and were in Iraqi waters at all times. Since then, videos of the soldiers have been aired in which they have apologized for entering Iraqi territory.

Tony Blair has condemned Iran, backed by the United Nations, the European Union, and the United States. Britain says that "bilateral talks" are underway, but they appear to be going nowhere. The thought of a war with Iran, while certainly on everyone's mind, has not received much support in England. Only 7% of the population, according to a recent poll, says that the country should be preparing for war, and almost 50% of the population says that it absolutely should not.

A third war, which would realistically be waged by a coalition of western countries, would be hard to pass off as a part of the War on Terror. Afghanistan was easy, but by the time the US invaded Iraq, many people knew what was going on. The goal of a third war would be more or less impossible to conceal.

Already, since the beginning of the crisis, Iran has pocketed about $80 million from heightened oil prices, making clear the interests at stake. The Persian Gulf country, which controls the Strait of Hormuz, has tremendous power over the west through its control of the flow of oil. Although Iran may stand alone against all of Europe and America, it has the power to make them suffer, as we are already seeing as gas prices rise above $3 a gallon. It is clear where the interests lie in this situation.

As of now, there is no resolution in sight to this standoff. To add to the tensions, Iran has accused British troops of firing on its consulate in Basra. A Spokesman for the British Defense ministry said that the troops were on a routine patrol, and were firing back at attackers. Proximity to the Iranian consulate was completely coincidental, he maintained.

Sources:

http://www.abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=2998693

http://news.scotsman.com/politics.cfm?id=506142007

http://www.time.com