Middle East Quagmire

July 11, 2008 (1200 hrs GMT): Iran's test firing of nine missiles on Wednesday, 9 th July will only deteriorate the current imbroglio in the Middle East, experts say. US retaliated in no time, with State Secretary Condelezza Rice saying: "I see it as evidence that the missile threat is not an imaginary one and that those who say that there is no Iranian threat against which to be building missile defences, perhaps ought to talk to the Iranians about ... the range of the missiles that they test fired."

European sentiments towards Iran can also go awry because of this test firing. Such outrageous acts can be quoted now by US to justify its efforts in the development of Missile Shield across Europe. A new pact have been signed between Czech Republic and Poland to use the territory of these countries to develop missile shields.

Even Democratic Presidential candidate, Barack Obama did not mince his words while condemning the test fires: "Iran is a great threat. We have to make sure we are working with our allies to apply tightened pressure on Iran."

IAEA had given a clean chit to Iran early this year, saying that it did no find any evidence for Iran developing nuclear weapons. The report had helped Iran to repair its tarnished image among international community. India, for one, has revived talks for finalizing the gas pipeline to the country along with reviving other trade exchanges with the nation. Interestingly, amidst fears of a possible US attack on Iran, the superpower had managed to substantially increase its commodity export to its rival in Middle East.