Gulf states always hoped that neighbouring Iran would one day become a constructive player in our region, which has been embroiled in turmoil for the past three decades. They hoped, against the obvious odds, that Iran would become part of the solution to regional ills, rather than an instigator of tension and conflicts. But Iran does not seem to get the message — or, more precisely, misinterprets the friendly messages as weakness. The Yemen crisis is the latest example.

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al Faisal was very clear at a recent press conference in asserting that the Gulf Cooperation Council’s actions in Yemen have noting to do with Iran. “We are not at war with Iran,” he said. Nevertheless, Tehran responded with a barrage of rants against the Kingdom and other Gulf states, from its senior leaders down to diplomatic officials using language that is not only undiplomatic but unheard of in this region.

Gulf officials are very careful when they speak politics. They make sure they address other states with respect and reason. But the recent Iranian rhetoric has gone out of control. And it must be stopped. Tehran is not doing itself any favour by antagonising its neighbours, with whom it shares not only the shores of the Arabian Gulf, but also deep historic ties, while it negotiates its way out of international isolation with the West. US President Barack Obama was right when he said on Wednesday that Iran was contributing to the problem in Yemen. Furthermore, it is no secret that Tehran is part of the problem in other countries too, such as Iraq, Syria, Lebanon and Bahrain.

Iranian officials would be mistaken if they think that by talking loud they can cover up their expansionist designs in the Arab world. Or that they can intimidate their neighbours into accepting their provocative policies. Among its many accomplishments, the Yemen operation has proved that Arabs can stand up to Iran.

Therefore, it is in the interests of Iran to stop provoking its neighbours and look instead for ways to cooperate for the sake of our shared geography.