Iran ought to learn that its continued interference in its neighbours’ affairs is totally wrong. It is a grave mistake that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei should deliver an outrageous speech in which he unrepentantly voices support for what he calls “oppressed people” in Yemen, Bahrain and all across the Middle East, which he conflated with a call for more support for governments in Palestine and Iraq, as well as support for Bashar Al Assad’s regime in Syria.
Iran will do better to stop seeking sectarian advantage from the confusion in the region and change its policies to work with the legitimate governments of its neighbours for the greater benefit of everyone in the Middle East. At a time when national governments should be working together to contain the dangers of violence, it is tragic that the Bahraini government is rightly forced to recall its ambassador from Tehran. Khamenei and Iran will do better to start a totally new chapter and seek new ties with Arab governments based on mutual respect. The success of the nuclear deal proves that Iran understands diplomacy. It should try it with its neighbours too.
