Iran in a velvet glove

This Times article tells of increased violence in the British-controlled sector of southern Iraq. Some are convinced that Iran is behind the upswing in attacks.

The violence that erupted on the streets of Basra yesterday was the result of a simmering struggle between British forces and the increasingly powerful Shia Muslim militias active in southern Iraq.

Attention has been focused on the Sunni Muslim insurgency against US-led forces further north, yet the British have been facing a sharp rise in attacks from an increasingly sophisticated and deadly foe.

There are strong suspicions that the bloodshed is being orchestrated with weapons and encouragement from Iran.

It is possible Iran's increased hostility is a response to British pressure on Iran's nuclear program.

British officials are convinced that Iran is implicated in the upsurge in violence and suspect it may be connected to Britain’s hardening position against Tehran’s nuclear programme. Britain has been working closely with Iran over the past two years to reach a compromise. But with the victory last month of the hawkish President Ahmadinejad, Iran has hardened its position.

Britain is now actively lobbying to have Tehran referred to the UN Security Council, where it could face sanctions.

I've said it before, I'll say it again. Iran was named in the Axis of Evil for a reason. They are subtle. They will not act openly, but they are masters at working in the shadows, orchestrating violence to help achieve their goals. Unless Iran is confronted now, dealing with them once they acquire nuclear weapons becomes problematic.

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