The Iraqi daily Al-Mada writes that the political situation in Iran, particularly following the announcement of the election results, would drive the country to export its crisis outside its borders to divert attention from its internal crisis.
The paper stated that the withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraqi cities could render Iraq particularly vulnerable.
The Iraqi daily Al-Sabah Al-Jadid writes that the nature of the Iranian regime has fractured, and the leaders are facing two difficult choices: a) the use of massive force to put down the intifada (uprising) "even if the blood flows like a river," which could lead to ethnic and sectarian conflicts that could eventually force the leadership to turn Iran into a complete totalitarian country, and b) the use of a measured amount of force to break the protests or to contain them, which could lead to paralysis.
However, the paper writes that there might be a third option, namely the exporting of the struggle outside the country.
That means activating the allies in Palestine, Lebanon, or the Gulf.
This could mean bringing the entire region into turmoil, without necessarily entering into direct conflict with the U.S.
The Iraqi daily Al-Zaman quotes General David Petraeus, U.S. military central command head, who following a meeting with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak said that Tehran is continuing to arm and train extremist elements inside Iraq to cause security problems.
Sources: Al-Mada, June 30, 2009; Al-Sabah Al-Jadid, June 29, 2009; Al-Zaman, June 30, 2009
