Britain’s presence in Persian Gulf complements U.S. policy on Iran
By Reza Shirzadi
British Prime Minister David Cameron visited the two Persian Gulf Arab states of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates last week. The trip, which followed French President Francois Holland’s visit to Lebanon and Saudi Arabia, is viewed by observers as a move to strengthen the regional alliance against Iran and help the United States and its Arab proxies in the region diminish Iran’s role in the Persian Gulf.
Iran’s nuclear program is often cited by London as one of its main bones of contention, and this may have been the reason why Cameron decided to pay a visit to the region. Thus, countering Iran’s influence seems to be the cornerstone of the Western governments’ policy of expanding their relations with the Arab countries of the Persian Gulf.
The United States’ military presence in the Persian Gulf harkens back to the days of British colonialism in the region. However, London would never dream of returning to that position since the Arab countries of the Persian Gulf are now under the heavy influence of the United States and any move by Western governments in the Persian Gulf is only meant to complement U.S. influence in the region.
Britain’s dire economic situation and its need to gain access to the brimming coffers of Arab oil-producing countries may have been another factor behind Cameron’s visit to Saudi Arabia and the UAE. The two countries have shown great interest in signing lucrative arms deals with the U.S., and British defense contractors are also seeking to obtain a share in such deals.
Britain and its allies have always sought to counter Iran’s growing influence in the region. They are even ready to spend huge sums of money to establish numerous military bases in the Persian Gulf, which would not only help them implement their anti-Iran policies but would also provide them better access to more important countries in the region like Syria. It would also assist their efforts to protect Bahrain, which is the home base of one of the most important fleets of the U.S. Navy. The tiny kingdom has been grappling with a popular uprising for almost 21 months and the fall of the monarchy would seriously threaten the West’s interests and would mean that the billions of dollars spent by Saudi Arabia and other Arab allies of the United States to save the country had gone to waste.
Therefore, Britain’s presence in the Persian Gulf should be described as complementary to the U.S. policy for the region. The two allies are trying to marginalize Iran, increase the pressure on the Islamic Republic, and enhance their surveillance of the volatile political situation of the region.
Reza Shirzadi is an expert on Persian Gulf strategic studies based in Tehran.