Russian experts: Destabilisation of situation in Iran and around it is practically inevitable

Destabilisation of the situation in Iran and around it is practically inevitable, a group of leading Russian Orientalists concluded at a RIA Novosti conference on Monday.

At the same time, the Iraqi scenario is impossible in Iran, they believe.

Experts believe that the U.S. claims to Iran with regard to its nuclear programme and accusations of supporting terrorism are not all-important.

"One of the strategic reasons for the U.S. pressure on Iran is the American course on changing the situation in the Islamic world as a whole," believes Alexei Malashenko, a Senior Researcher with the Moscow Carnegie Centre scientific council.

Nina Mamedova, a leading expert with the Institute of Oriental Studies, agreed with him, stressing that "Iran represents the Islamic statehood" which does not suit the U.S.

"The Middle East has become the principal area of the U.S. interests under President George Bush," said Prof. Vladimir Sazhin, expert with the Institute of Oriental Studies.

The experts pointed out that it is too early to speak about the readiness of Iranian society to range itself against America.

"Anti-Americanism is no longer the factor uniting Iranian society, on the contrary, opinion polls suggest that the Iranians stand for decreasing the Islamic component," Mamedova said.

As for Tehran's nuclear ambitions, Russian experts believe that the involvement of Russia and the IAEA in its nuclear programme is itself a guarantee of its security.

According to Malashenko, the possible proliferation of nuclear technologies via non-state channels is much more dangerous in this respect.

Russian experts stressed that any destabilisation of the situation in Iran caused by internal or external factors will lead to dangerous and unpredictable consequences for the entire region and Russia.