By Vestnik Kavkaza
Earlier this week, a five-day ceasefire started in Yemen. It was declared by Saudi Arabia and supported by Shiah militants from the Houthi Movement to bring humanitarian aid to the population of the country. The Iranian ship ‘Iran Shahed’ is carrying humanitarian aid to Yemen at the moment. According to Tehran, food products, medicines and essentials are on board. As the ship is convoyed by a ship of the Iranian Naval Forces, representatives of the Arab coalition say that won’t let the Iranians moor in a Yemeni port without the coalition’s sanction and examining the cargo. Tehran threatens to fire if anybody tries to attack the ship or prevents it from fulfilling the task.
The situation is commented on by Andrei Baklanov, an Orientalologist, an advisor to the deputy head of the Federation Council: “The coalition demands that the ship be examined, but Iran asks: “Who are you that you intend to do it?” Where will it happen?" There are other juridical questions. In general, the situation with such an emotional pretext is moving toward a clash. It resembles the situation with Saddam Hussein. Using the emotional factor in the Middle East is a way to turn a conflict into a direct military clash. Unfortunately, we are witnessing such possible scenario which will lead to such a clash.”
According to Baklanov, the US has improved its relations with Tehran in recent times, but instead of using the ground gained for avoiding a direct conflict, it is developing another scheme: “They slightly helped Iran, and now they are ready to help the Arabs militarily. There are plans on deploying troops and missile defenses in the region. But this is a way to further confrontation. Foreign influence looks negative.”
Washington’s position is explained by the expert “by the dividends which the military monopolies will gain.” “In recent months, after the beginning of the events in Yemen, the level of new contracts on imports of weapons by Saudi Arabia is $25 billion. The sum is huge; but still we discuss only an internal conflict. What does one need to increase the sum? (I remind you that after 9/11, it increased to $170 billion). They need a direct military clash between the two leading powers of the region – Saudi Arabia and Iran. It is a dangerous situation.”
