[ad_1]
The report of a possible attack targeting the US ambassador to South Africa, Lana Marks, allegedly by Iranians, could have more to do with Donald Trump’s election campaign and therefore should not be taken seriously, they say. political experts.
SA, with friendly relations with Iran, could find itself caught in the middle of another war between old enemies after Iran indicated its intention to retaliate for the assassination of its top general, Qasem Soleimani, in a drone strike in January. It surprised everyone when the United States announced that Marks was the target of assassination by the Iranians. Others expressed concern that US foreign policy would endanger the sovereignty of other countries.
Wits University professor John Stremlau, an expert on US-African relations, China, and politics and international relations, said that anything emanating from the Donald Trump administration should be taken with a pinch of salt, as it was prone to diverting attention from their own problems.
Stremlau, a critic of the Trump administration, said that until investigations and SA authorities confirm the threat, it should not be taken seriously. There was a lot of misinformation coming from US intelligence, which, it said, was highly politicized and divided into factions.
Also read: Ambassador assassination plan: SSA guarantees his safety, while Iran dismisses media reports
Other observers said that Iran’s threat of retaliation did not mean that only Tehran could carry it out, as Washington had many enemies. Opportunistic attacks could occur without necessarily being authorized by Iran.
The sentiments of the Trump factor were also voiced by University of Johannesburg politics professor Siphamandla Zondi, who said it could be anyone, including Trump, who could be trying to improve his position in the November presidential election.
Zondi said the Iranian government is unlikely to risk jeopardizing its good relations with South Africa by launching an attack on a target within a country with which it enjoys cordial relations.
“I doubt that Iran is involved. It would be very strange to do that in South Africa because it would be an attack on the sovereignty of this country. I don’t think the Iranians would like to isolate themselves more because that would damage their relations with SA.
“Such an attack or attack plot could be carried out by any armed group that has nothing to do with Iran, but wants to harm the United States for its own reasons,” Zondi said.
He said extremist groups could choose a target anywhere in the world and South Africa could be the launching pad.
For more news your way, download The Citizen app to iOS and Android.
[ad_2]
