Vying for Supremacy in the Gulf

The Arab Gulf states were united in their condemnation of "flagrant and unacceptable Iranian interference" in their internal affairs. What sort of consequences might this condemnation have for future relations between the Gulf states and Iran?

Khattar Abou Diab: Following the unrest in Bahrain and the intervention by some of the Gulf states operating within the Gulf Cooperation Council security pact, the Gulf states have begun to take a much tougher line against Iran. The Cooperation Council's Peninsula Shield Force went into the small island state in support of the ruling family and against an opposition which was reputed to be strongly supported by Iran.

This escalation has also been exacerbated by Kuwait's announcement that it had smashed an Iranian spy ring that had been operating in its territory, a move that was followed by a round of diplomatic expulsions on both sides. All of these factors have contributed to an increase in tension in the region. Added to this for good measure were statements made by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, warning Saudi Arabia against continuing their occupation of Bahrain. It all adds up to a level of escalation not seen in the Gulf since the Iran-Iraq War.

​​Do you think that a further escalation is likely in this strategically important region?

Khattar Abou Diab: Iran tried to put a stop to the escalation, which progressed from verbal exchange to expulsion of diplomats, through diplomatic discussions between the foreign ministers. It seems, however, that the Gulf states are afraid of an increase of Iranian influence. In other words, the struggle to win the favour of the Shiite minorities in the Gulf states has begun – with the exception of Bahrain, where there is a Shiite majority. The Gulf states' primary concern is to prevent any shift in their loyalties towards Tehran on the part of these minorities.

I do not believe however that this escalation is in the interests of either side, especially if Iran stops its efforts to "export revolution". Although the policy of exporting revolution is one that has had clear successes in Iraq and Lebanon, it has been a different story in the Gulf region, which is home to the world's largest oil reserves and where many American troops are stationed. All these factors are intertwined and have an influence on one another.

How will relations between Iran and the Arab Gulf states develop? What do you expect to happen in the near future?

Khattar Abou Diab: Up till now, certain Gulf states have tended to provide a kind of link between Iran and the other Gulf states: Kuwait, Qatar and Oman in particular. Oman, however, is currently going through an internal crisis of its own; Qatar, which has recently emerged as a new regional power in the Arab world, has been distancing itself to an ever greater degree from Tehran, while Kuwait's relations with Tehran have slumped to an all time low. All of this means that the overall situation has clearly become more critical.

Do you think that it might come to a breaking off of relations between the Gulf states and Iran? And what effect would such a development have on the region?

​​Khattar Abou Diab: There is no doubt that domestic policy problems, which are inseparable from the political context of the region, also play a significant role in relations between the Gulf states and Iran. But I believe that neither side wants direct confrontation at the present time. It is much more a case of each side trying to establish limits, drawing the lines, which the other must not cross. Iran is trying to warn the Arab Gulf states that they should not support any US attack on Iran. Iran, in turn, also wants to show that it can apply pressure within the Gulf states themselves.

Could the Gulf states intervene in Bahrain without this resulting in a crisis in relations with Iran?

Khattar Abou Diab: Were there no hostility to the Islamic Republic, the Gulf states would not have resorted to their so-called preventive action for the protection of the ruling family in Bahrain. This is a very significant step to have taken, because the Gulf states made their move without either international or American approval. It is probably the most important historical initiative in the region since independence was gained from Great Britain in the 1970s. I believe that the Arab Gulf states are now more confident of their ability to effectively resist Iranian plans in the region. As you know, relations with Iran reached a crisis point formerly when Iran occupied the islands of the United Arab Emirates.

Thus far, the Gulf states have explored every possible diplomatic avenue in order to avoid any escalation of the situation with Iran. By opting to go into Bahrain and adopting a robust diplomatic stance, the Gulf states are trying to show Iran that there are lines of demarcation that it must not cross.

The entire situation ultimately depends on the behaviour of Tehran and on how Iran's leadership interprets this development. It is unlikely, should further escalation come, that it will be possible to contain tensions at the diplomatic level.

Interview: Tarek Anegay

© Qantara.de 2011

Khattar Abou Diab is a political analyst and adviser and Professor of Political Science at the Sorbonne (Paris III). He is an authority on the Middle East and Islam as well as a regular contributor to the journals "Cahiers de l'Orient" and "Arabies". He was also a contributor to "The Columbia World Dictionary of Islamism", edited by Olivier Roy, Antoine Sfeir, and John King, and editor of its French edition "Dictionnaire Mondial De L'islamisme".

Editors: Nimet Seker, Lewis Gropp/Qantara.de