Monday, February 17, 2014 - There has been global and regional concern over the covert Iranian nuclearprogrammeever since 1990s. Whereas United States and European Union overtly opposed the Iran for its nuclearprogramme, which Iran claimed to be peaceful but viewed as weapon grade enrichment of uranium by others. The regional countries particularly the GGC states were worried more and at one point of time demanded a nuclearprogrammeof their own, perhaps in retaliation to the Iranian nuclearprogramme. The regional and global concerns of Iranian nuclearprogrammewere not nuclear centric only, but, it had to do something with growing Iranian influence, which regional countries envisaged as a threat to them.The nuclear deal over Iranian nuclear programme, brokered between Iran and P-5+1, in November 2013, is viewed as a great success for both parties. For the P-5+1, it proved to be a major achievement, attained after hectic diplomacy and imposition of several sanctions, as Iran was not coming to terms since the start of21st century. For the Iran, the deal provides a temporary relief from the economic sanctions; it has been under ever since EU and U.Sknewits nuclear developments through their intelligence network. Iran has taken a sigh of relief once some of its freeze accounts were unfreeze and money was released to Iran for meeting its immediatefoodneeds.
For the world at large, Iranian nuclear deal, the Geneva Agreement is a welcoming development as the looming crisis over the issue could have invited a conflict with dangerous consequences for the region as well as the globe. The peaceful brokering of the deal has avoided the disastrous effects, thus opened new avenues for the regional countries and international community to have a win-win situation. Theoretically the development may sound good, but, the ground realities are quite contrary. As analysed by a scholar, The (Geneva) agreement has reduced the Iran problem to the nuclear level only, while its regional interference is of key concern to GCC countries.
The deal between Iran and P-5+1 and US perceived role in the region hasindeedinitiated new debate in the regional politics and enhanced the concerns of GCC states about thesecurityof the region. In fact, post 1979 Iran was otherwise viewed by GCC states as threat to their form of government and particularly the ideology. The November-2013 deal, which is yet to be formalized, is being viewed by the GCC states as acceptance of Iranian role in the future politics of the region. Many in Saudi Arabia worry that Iran is not being sincere, and the worry during the negotiations was that any deal reached would mean Iran would widen their influence in the region-in countries like Lebanon and Bahrain-and become a bigger threat.
Apparently, through the deal, United States has broadened its regional policy, by taking on board many more countries that were not part of US regional partnership. As it has developed differences with Iran over hostages issue, in the post 1979 scenario. Thereafter, U.S has given special emphasis to its relationship with Saudi Arabia and Jordan inMiddle East. Besides, Israeli security and safety has been the prime responsibility of the US. Then, the Iranian regimes of the post Islamic Revolution-1979, demonstrated direct threat to Israel and US interests in the region. In a way, GCC, Israel and United States were united against Iran, though Israeli role against the Palestinian was not to the likes of GCC states.
Among the GCC states, Saudi Arabia has a distinguished status. It is regarded with lot of respect among the Muslim community, being the administrator and protector of the Muslim Holy sites. For quite some time US has taken the responsibility for the security of the important country in theMiddle East. There is ageneralfeeling among the GCC and Saudi Arabia in particular that, US may abandon them viz-a-viz Iran. With regards to Iran, its nuclear programme was not the only reasons, but its expanding influence is of more concern for the GCC states. Indeed, the 1979 Islamic Revolution in Iran brought a major change in the regional politics. Iranian Islamists voiced against the monarchs ofMiddle East, particularly Gulf States for the promotion of their form of Islam. On its part, Iran established its nexus with Syria, Lebanon, Gaza and those Arab localities having Shia population. Eastern Saudi Arabia, the oil rich areas have Shia population. Then, Iran fully supported Hezbollah during its 34 days war in 2006, Hamas against Al-Fetach, uprising in Bahrain and Syrian regime against insurgency. Indeed, Iran raised an active and popular voice against monarchs inMiddle Eastand particularly GCC. These are the real concerns of Saudi Arabia and other GCC states.
Whereas, the deal over Irans nuclearprogrammeand apparent shift of US in the regional politics has raised concerns for the GCC states, the developments are indirectly meant to benefit Israel, a U.S strategicpartnerin the region. Israel was mostly concerned about a nuclear Iran, as former Iranian President Ahmedinejad publically threatened Israel many a time. A U.S friendly Iran would influence Hizbollah for not opposing andtargetingthestate of Israeland so would be Hamas in Gaza. NATO and U.S stopped short of attacking the Syrian regime for the obvious reasons.
Indeed, the deal over Iranian nuclear has secured the Israel and created a rift among the Iran and GCC states. Indeed, the strategy is, create rifts among Muslim states, provide weapon to either side and let them fight with each other on various pretexts and later take the role of moderator and decision maker in its (super power) ownnationalinterests and for securing their resources and maintaining the global dominance. Should the fifty-seven members Islamic bloc have slightest idea of this global strategy, if not keep suffering indefinitely?
By Pak Observer
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