Gulf | Saudi Arabia
Saudi analysts slam Iranian expansionism
Saudi parliamentarians and political analysts have come down heavily on the tone and tenor of the Iranian response to a GCC call for returning the the three occupied UAE islands of Greater and Lesser Tunbs and Abu Mousa to UAE sovereignty.
- By Mariam Al Hakeem, Correspondent
- Published: 00:20 September 5, 2008
Riyadh: Saudi parliamentarians and political analysts have come down heavily on the tone and tenor of the Iranian response to a GCC call for returning the the three occupied UAE islands of Greater and Lesser Tunbs and Abu Mousa to UAE sovereignty.
Speaking to Gulf News, parliamentarians and analysts said the Iranian assertion that the islands were an integral part of its territory reflected its hegemonic ambitions given the strategic and military value of the three islands.
Dr Mohammad Al Zulfa, member of the Saudi Shura Council, said Iran always sought to project itself as furthering the Arab cause when everybody knew it only meant to exploit any weaknesses in the region.
"All the time, it [Iran] is endeavouring to extend its hegemonic hold over the three UAE islands though it is not in need of more territory. It wants to continue its occupation of the three islands in view of the strategic advantage they offer vis-a-vis control of international navigation routes and the flow of oil to international markets in case it faces a military attack", he said.
Comparable roles
Al Zulfa said Iran was playing a role no different from Tel Aviv's occupation of the Arab territories. Iran and Israel had come to be regarded two faces of one coin, he said.
Saudi political analyst Naif Al Shammari said the Iranian condemnation of the GCC call to dismantle the two administrative offices on Abu Mousa island reflected the Iranian trait of turning on its GCC neighbours.
"It is clear that the quiet diplomacy adopted by the UAE and other GCC countries has given Iran wrong ideas. The UAE will never give up its right to the three islands."
As for alternatives available to the UAE to overcome the Iranian rejection of its calls to return the three islands, Al Shammari said: "If the rational statements of the UAE government are met with negative rhetoric, the UAE can take recourse to diplomatic alternatives ranging from economic measures to media campaigns."
He said he did not see Iran shifting from its policy of force and occupation to enforce the status quo.
Al Shammari said pending issues between Iran and the GCC had been taken up for consideration during the time of former president Mohammad Khatami but said President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's ascent to power had seen a return to the language of threats.
Dr Abdullah Al Tuweirqi, a lecturer of international relations at King Saud University, warned the GCC of the Iran's boundless ambition. "They should remain vigilant about the expansionist ambitions of the Iranian government in the region," he said.
"Iran says that it will not get out of Lebanon and will not leave Syria till it liberates the Sheba'a farms. Does not this mean expansion of its influence in the region?" he asked.
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