Was or is Iran trying to stabilize the situation?

[mmonk]

Different path for them if true.
http://fairuse.100webcustomers.com/fuj/nytimes104.htm

[tocqueville]

1. there are similar observations in Asia Times

The Irani are not interested in a violent confrontation with the US right now.


Devil dislikes the stink of brimstone

Iran's complaint that the US has thrown the Middle East into chaos in order to reshape the region is a man-bites-camel story. True, Israel's onslaught on Lebanon has presented its ally the US with a geostrategic opportunity, but it's doubtful that President George W Bush has either the brains or the stomach to press America's advantage.

http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/HH01Ak01.html

Tehran teeters on the path to war
By Kaveh L Afrasiabi

The United Nations Security Council's new resolution on Iran gives Tehran until the end of August to suspend all uranium-enrichment-related activities or face the prospect of international sanctions, an ultimatum instantly denounced by Iran as illegal and unjustified. This means that Iran now faces a double crisis, given Israel's military onslaught against its strategic ally in Lebanon, Hezbollah.

Thus, contrary to what has become an article of faith in the Western media, about Iran somehow gaining influence due to the war in Lebanon, the exact opposite may be in the works, particularly if Israel's latest claim of destroying most of Hezbollah's rockets turns out to be true.

http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/HH02Ak03.html

France's approach is simply to avoid a clusterfuck in the ME with appalling consequences for the region.
Besides there is a genuine solidarity with Lebanon due to historic ties.