* Iran and Kuwait
As our long-time readers know, another story we have been closely tracking
is the emerging anti-Iraq sentiment in the Persian Gulf region, driven by
the impact of Iraqi crude oil production on collective efforts to raise
crude prices, and exploited by an Iran eager to break out of its political
isolation. Our newer readers can find an archive of our reports on this
issue at stratfor.com.
This week, while Iraq had its very public falling-out with UNSCOM weapons
inspectors, Iran moved to further strengthen military ties with its Arab
neighbors. Iranian Defense Minister Rear Admiral Ali Shamkhani, in an
interview published this week in the London-based weekly "Al-Wasat," said
that "our brothers in the region have realized that the Iranian navy poses
no threat to them and that it can be used to defend the Arabs' and Muslims'
rights." Shamkhani added that "The Islamic Republic of Iran considers its
military force as part of the Muslim world's military might, and as such
its forces pose no threat to Arab states."
This offer comes on top of July 29 statements in the London-based newspaper
"Al-Hayat" by Iran's Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Mohammad Reza Nouri, that
"Iran's missile capabilities are at the disposal of the Kingdom of Saudi
Arabia." Nuri continued "We believe that Iran's power is the kingdom's
power, and the kingdom's power is Iran's power. Our relations with Saudi
Arabia have reached a historical stage where we are complementing one
another, and if we have a missile or non-missile capability, it is at the
kingdom's disposal."
On August 5, Iranian President Mohammad Khatami told visiting Saudi Prince
Turki, son of Crown Prince Abdullah, that "all our resources are being
deployed in the interest of peace and security" in the Gulf region. He
said that Iran and Saudi Arabia could together play an "effective role in
ensuring the region's security." Iranian-Saudi diplomatic efforts
accelerated in the wake of the U.S. confrontation with Iraq in February,
and have dealt, among other things, with forging an Arab-Persian NATO-like
alliance to police the region, including dealing with situations like the
one in Iraq.
As Iran and Saudi Arabia appear to be nearing consensus on regional
security issues, Kuwait has recently stepped up its anti-Iraqi rhetoric.
On August 5, the Chief of Staff of the Kuwaiti army, General Ali Momen, was
quoted in the Kuwaiti military magazine "Humat Al-Watan" as saying "the
Kuwaiti army's defensive capacities will enable it to resist all Iraqi
attacks." Kuwait now stands ready to confront Iraq, and Iran has offered
its military might in the service of regional stability and security. All
that apparently remains is for Saudi Arabia to accept the offer.
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