Arabs’ Dual Behavior towards Iran’s New Situation

15 April 2009 | 19:13 Code : 4371 Middle East.
Leading Arab countries believe that Iran-U.S. reconciliation will make the Islamic Republic more moderate. A commentary by Hamid Ahmadi
Arabs’ Dual Behavior towards Iran’s New Situation
  Iran’s increasing influence in Middle East has opened a rift within the Arab World -which is struggling to gain the leadership in the region. The rift clearly mirrors the worried face of Arab World in face of political developments.

  Hamid Ahmadi, Middle East expert and member of the Center for Middle East Strategic Studies has commented for Iranian Diplomacy:

  Arabs are naturally concerned with Iran’s increasing influence in Middle East, and the crux of their concerns was King Abdullah of Jordan’s warning about the formation of a Shiite crescent in the region. Iran’s influence in Iraq also raised worries among the Egyptians and Saudis. These concerns have in fact been there for a long time.

  Increasing fears during the recent months are connected to Hamas and the situation in Palestine. Palestine has always been Arabs’ major issue. Since the 1980s, Iran’s influence on Palestinian Islamists has made Arabs uneasy. To foil Iran’s measures, they set up Hamas but after a few years, Hamas inclined towards Iran and now most of the Islamist groups in Occupied Territories favor Iran.

  The recent war between Hamas and Israel and the internal strife between Palestinian Authority and Hamas has also heightened concerns. Arab countries believe that Iran is the root cause of tensions in the region. The turmoil in Iraq, 33-day war between Hezbollah and Israel, and Hamas-Iran ties have all intensified their fears. A latent fear about Iran’s connection to radical Islamist groups in the region also makes them uneasy. Shiites increasing presence in Middle East’s political scenery is another problem, which Arab countries believe would lead to Iran’s further influence.

  Iran-United States relations and Arabs’ dual reaction

  Arab countries have reacted to the likely resumption of Iran-U.S. ties in two different ways. Some express their assent, since it would assumedly curb Iran’s intervention in Palestine and Lebanon to Arabs’ advantage. Leading Arab states such as Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Jordan are hence backing the compromise believing it would move Iran away from radicalism.

  Meanwhile, countries which have fundamental –especially territorial- problems with Iran (such as United Arab Emirates) disfavor approximation: tt would reinforce Iran’s position and discard their territorial claims. Such countries always ask for Iran’s further isolation. However, most Arab countries support Iran-U.S. compromise since they believe it would push Iran towards moderation.

  Arabs Proximity to Iraq

  Arabs always regard Iraq as an Arab country and a constituent of the Arab Ummah. In fact, their view of Iraq is similar to Iran’s view of countries such as Armenia and Tajikistan which sit in the realm of the Iranian civilization. Arab countries wish that Iraq’s future be determined within the Arab World’s frame, because ethnicism threatens the territorial integrity of Iraq and it may even spread to other Arab countries. Shiites’ preponderant presence in Iraq’s government also brings the country out of Arabs’ supporting umbrella. So Arabs’ efforts to approach Iraq, is in fact a part of the agenda to contain Iran’s influence.