Last modified: Tuesday, October 11, 2011
IU expert available to discuss alleged Iran 'directed' bomb plot
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Oct. 11, 2011
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- News organizations are reporting today that two men allegedly working with backing from the Iranian government have been charged with plotting to assassinate the Saudi ambassador to the U.S. Jamsheed K. Choksy, professor of Central Eurasian, international and Islamic studies and former director of the Middle Eastern Studies Program at Indiana University Bloomington, can offer perspectives and is available to speak with reporters.
An expert on Iranian politics and society, Choksy said the alleged incident could further set back relations with Iran, which the State Department has listed as a state sponsor of terrorism since 1984.
"Elements in the Iranian government who seek to prevent re-establishment of ties between Tehran and Washington may just have succeeded," he said. He has heard the United States will demand that the United Nations Security Council impose additional sanctions against Iran for this latest terror plot.
Tensions between Iran and the United States are already high, Choksy said, and levels of suspicion and animosity will skyrocket with the thwarting of this plot aimed at the U.S. homeland. Likewise, Iran and Saudi Arabia have seen their bilateral relations frayed recently as Saudi Arabia has attempted to build an alliance to counter perceived aggression by Iran in the region.
"Negotiations with Iran on issues ranging from nuclear power to the Iraqi insurrection and the Taliban counterattack in Afghanistan will now be far less likely," Choksy noted.
Choksy is also a member of the National Council on the Humanities at the U.S. National Endowment for the Humanities. He can be reached 812-855-8643 (o) or 317-294-5232 (m). Both lines have voice mail. He can also be contacted at jchoksy@indiana.edu.
