CouldDonald Trump attack Iranduring the holy Islamic month of Ramadan? The ominous question is weighing heavy in Washington as well as capitals across theMiddle Eastas the United States amasses its largest military build-up in the region in over 20 years. Two American aircraft carriers, more than a dozen warships and hundreds of warplanes are said to have been positioned within striking distance of Iran.
US diplomats as well as allies in the Middle East have been praying that the question is answered in the negative. An American attack on a Muslim nation during the sacred month of fasting – which began on February 18 and concludes around March 18 – would inflame sentiments across the Islamic world, allies or otherwise. Such an attack would not only destabilise the region but also anger Gulf partners the US would need to rely on for any post-conflict settlement.
And yet, history offers a sobering reminder – the sanctity of Ramadan has neither been a deterrent for military action nor an advocate for ceasefire, even among Muslim nations.
In 1973, the Arab-Israeli War came to be known, at least in the Islamic world, as the ‘Ramadan War’. It was fought from October 6 to 25 between Israel and joint Egypt-Syria forces when the latter launched surprise attacks on the 10th day of the holy month. The Muslim nations chose to launch the attacks during Ramadan based on the strategic calculation that Israel would be caught off guard during its own Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur.
Iran itself was caught in a war against Iraq during Ramadan in 1982. Tehran, in fact, was the aggressor, launching a military offensive against Iraq in Basra on the first day of Ramadan, even codenaming the action as ‘Operation Ramadan’.
The US President has never been one for symbolism. For him, the question is more complex. Given the escalating cost of maintaining two aircraft carriers, dozen-plus destroyers, and hundreds of aircraft in Middle East, some analysts believe Trump’s impatience for decisive action will eventually win over.
Trump has previously said he is “considering" limited military strikes against Tehran and that he expects to decide “within 10 to 15 days" — a window that squarely falls within Ramadan.
According toCNNreports, he has privately argued for and against action, polling advisers and allies on what he should do. His administration has reportedly pointed to Iran’s accelerating fortification of nuclear sites — burying key facilities under concrete and soil — as evidence that diplomatic time is running out.
Talks between American and Iranian negotiators in Geneva have been going on, but offer neither resolution nor the hope of one.
Trump threatened military action in January in response to the Iranian government’s fierce crackdown on national protests before shifting his focus to Tehran’s disputed nuclear program and warning it to make a deal. Another round of nuclear talks is planned for later this week.
Source: World News in news18.com, World Latest News, World News
