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Iran Exposed
The truth about Iran's capture and mistreatment of British servicemen is only beginning to emerge. British officials have hushed up reports that the men were forced into Iran's waters, rather than straying into its territory.
Despite disturbing images of the men paraded blindfold on Arab/Iranian propaganda channels - which would have caused outrage in Britain's media, had they been captured terrorists displayed by allied forces - the UK press has been fairly timid about the incident.
Now The Sun reveals that the eight men were subject to treatment that would normally have Britain's human rights industry in hysterics. According to one of the marines, they were forced ashore by heavily armed Revolutionary Guards who confronted them in unmarked boats. During their interrogation, they were humiliated, threatened with trial for espionage - or whatever passes for a trial in Iran - and subject to a horrifying mock execution.
These reports come as more evidence emerges regarding Iran's continuing support of terror: Newsweek reports that at least ten of the 9/11 mass murderers had used Iran as a "safe stop-off" on their way to Afghanistan. The leading conspirator behind the terror attacks, Ramzi bin al-Shibh, paid a particularly suspicious visit to Iran just eight months before September 11th.
Most sensible commentators agree that Iran is developing a nuclear weapon - one of its leading clerics hopes to use such a device against Israel, despite the millions of deaths this would cause in his own country, should Israel retaliate.
The European strategy for dealing with Iran is based on consultation, gentle persuasion and downright bribery - confrontation is thought to be the worst possible solution. Analysts agree that Iran's citizens are not bloodthirsty fanatics, unlike their religious leaders - an invasion or attack on Iran would surely risk harming many potential allies.
Nevertheless Iran is becoming a terrorist state - much more dangerous, and much more urgent a threat than Iraq appears to have been. Dealing with this nation and the aims of some of its leadership promises to be the crucial test of western policy in the next decade.
