The importance of Iran

Iran lies at the very heart of the Greater Middle East, and in a way or another is implied in each of the many regional problems.

First of all, Iran is the direct heir of the great Persian empire and of its secular cultural influence on the neighboring regions. Tehran’s ruling elite considers Iran a major regional power and for decades has been trying to acquire nuclear capabilities.

Moreover, the Islamic Republic is the reference point of the Shiite galaxy, the minority branch of the Muslim world whose members live along the coast of the Persian Gulf – core of the world’s oil production – as well as in Iraq, Afghanistan and other parts of the region. This Shiite crescent is perceived as a serious threat by Saudi Arabia, a mainly Sunni country, and by other Gulf States.

But there’s more to it. Iran is home to the world’s third largest oil reserves, that in fact cannot be fully exploited because of the country’s long international isolation. Also, Iran’s strategic position makes it able to blockade the Hormuz strait, a bottleneck on the world’s most important oil sea route.

Through its axis with Syria, Tehran finances the Shiite Hizbullah movement in Lebanon and the Sunni extremists in the Gaza Strip, thus posing a direct threat to Israel.

Finally, the Iranian plateau is located between the Caucasus and the Indian Sea. Thus, it could be a valid alternative to export the oil and gas from the Caspian basin without crossing Russia. But, at the moment, this remains un unconfessed Western dream.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Iran
• oil

[bigsoundz]

We should attack Belgium because they hold the world's third largest chocolate reserves. People are nuts. They think killing for oil is okay.

[hypernova20]

screw it. instead of being a dick about it why dont we just sit down wiht them and have a beer and make an oil deal with them instead of risking war. stupid stupid. if we dont than russia and china will get all the oil by kissing Irans ass. or the chinese and russians will invade them and take oil anyway. besides thats where they get there oil in the first place. fuck oil. lets just go SOLAR maybe than we wouldnt have to deal with midle east crap

[00299999]

Iran is the last remaining independent country in middle east and in fact is paying heavy price for it.

Despite of all these unsuccessful attempts of isolation by western countries including embargoes and sanctions, Iran's growing power and influence in region is undeniable,

Iran is rising again to be what it had been , Regional super power

[geraldmartinez360]

Yes it is but it is also a big instigator in middle east and will not hesitate to use force to get its will which is bad for the world. Besides it is at the wrong side of religious belief. God will never allow ungodly country to rule the world as the US.

[paymanmktr]

@mailnotwanted try it and see how they nuke back,any way is more important than poor smali paki

[HODOUTHINKUAR]

ftw

[mailnotwanted]

Iran is not important..iran should be nuked!

[samreznek]

Good Job. Though I think its so fast that it would be better slowed down, to help with digestion.

[Diznab90]

doesnt make sense to me

its wierd video doesnt point out anything

[turibest]

yeah usa uk israel are innocents are children but iran who is under sanctions r threat ? lol .. till when u people will support the biggest opressors USA ISRAEL UK and someother powerful zionist regimes .. when will u return to the standing with truth ? i dont know when