Iran: Friend or Foe?

There has been talks between Afghanistan and Iran to reconcile any misunderstandings and focus on working together to make both countries stronger and safer. Specifically, the countries want to make the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO), a Middle Eastern alliance, stronger and more useful. An article from FARS News Agency quotes Afghan Foreign Minister Rangin Dadfar Spanta, "Iran is one of the most important countries in the region and one of the closest friends of Afghanistan and we welcome the valuable share Iran intends to contribute to the strengthening of peace in Afghanistan."

Problems arise when the tension between the United States and Iran are brought into the conversation. Iran has been working towards creating nuclear power. The United States is opposed to this because of the threat of nuclear weapons. An article by the BBC outlines the current situation concisely, entitled, "Iran demands change in US Policy." Iran's religious leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, says that if President Obama changes Mr. Bush's stance of Iran being part of the "Axis of Evil" then Iran will change its stance that America is the infidel.

President Obama wants to open lines of diplomacy to Iran, though he extended trade sanctions for another year because of Iran's nuclear program.

This leaves Afghanistan between a rock and a hard place. The country needs help from both sides of the fence. The question becomes, is it possible? I believe both countries will see Afghanistan as an ally and help, regardless of their positions against each other.