Attack against Iran to Trigger Terror Tsunami - Report

World in Brief: 5 February 2007, Monday.

Military action against Iran would be disastrous, warns a British alliance report as tensions between Washington and Iran are escalating. In the report, entitled Time to Talk: The Case for Diplomatic Solutions on Iran, the alliance of charities, faith groups and other organisations argue that the Government should be trying to secure face-to-face talks between the US and Iran. "Military action is not likely to be a short, sharp engagement but could have a profound effect on the region, with shock waves felt far beyond," the report says, as cited by the Guardian. The report warns that military action could further destabilise the region and provoke retaliatory attacks against British forces in Iraq and Afghanistan. It could also undermine the war on terror by fuelling anti-western sentiments, while strikes against nuclear facilities risks unleashing radioactive contamination. Other signatories to the report include charities Oxfam, the Unison, GMB and Amicus unions, the Muslim Parliament and Christian Solidarity Worldwide.