Iran's response

The statement follows the exchange of threats between Iran and Israel in recent weeks and has laid bare the truth that the preemption theory has given birth to new security concerns, particularly in the countries directly affected by the US military presence in the Middle East. Israel used it to destroy Iraqi nuclear installations in 1981, and President Bush's war on the country is actually based on the assumption that President Saddam was becoming a threat to the world at large. Neither the US nor Israel, however, had to show anything concrete to prove that their conviction was based on any tangible truth.

Now the countries, which the US deems to be potentially dangerous, have every reason to feel threatened. And Washington's handling of the Middle East situation has only served to deepen the fears. Iran and other countries in the region are particularly worried about the free-hand given to Israel by the US. And Israel has a proven record of going to any lengths to deal with perceived threats to its existence. Regrettably, its position has always been defended stubbornly by its mentor.

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Tehran's nuclear plans are being viewed with great suspicion. Again, the US and Israel are working on the hypothetical premise that Iran poses a threat to world peace. However, Iran's clear response to the US-Israel position underlines the hazards associated with stretching the preemption theory beyond the limits of international norms.

The US, and all the advocates of preemptive strikes, cannot evade the question as to how their plan has changed the world. And they should also visualise the scenario in which more and more countries will be striking preemptively to crush their enemies.