Tactful approach to Iran

Gulf states do not support the international policy of isolating Iran." This and similar comments are frequently made by various Western experts who are trying to get a grip on the 'mysteries' of GCC diplomacy towards Iran.

The problem lies in the fact that GCC diplomacy towards Iran is less a 'public' matter and more a "reading between the lines". The GCC states' demands from Iran are clear and well defined: stop intervening in Iraq; stop meddling in Lebanese and Palestinian affairs, and adhere to UN Security Council resolutions demanding an end to uranium enrichment activities.

Given these demands, it appears that the GCC states do share certain objectives of the US on curbing Iranian influence in the region and preventing the regime in Tehran from acquiring a nuclear bomb.

But while the objectives might be similar, the GCC states are following a different diplomatic course from the US and opting for a more prudent and tactful approach of "constructive engagement," using incentives as well as implicit pressure, to encourage Iran to gradually move away from its hardline position.

One prerequisite for a successful "constructive engagement" with Iran was the need for the GCC to speak with one voice. That was not an easy task for the GCC states which are driven by their own national interests and have different levels of engagement with Iran. However, the Gulf leaders pulled themselves together, set their differences aside and put up a united front. This was clear when the Iranian President Ahmadinejad sought an invitation from Qatar to participate in the GCC summit in Doha in December last year. The decision to allow Ahmadinejad to participate and address the meeting was unanimous.

The united GCC attitude provides the opportunity for a possible "Arab Gulf diplomacy" towards Iran that is different from that of the US. The first steps of such a diplomatic move could be seen in the frank opinions of key GCC leaders about US conduct in Iraq, and the frequent references to the "illegal" occupation of the country.

Having a more independent and defined policy offers the GCC greater room for political manoeuvres and to extend some diplomatic 'carrots' to the regime in Tehran; GCC statements made in 2007 that they will not permit the US to use their bases for an attack on Iran, the free trade zone proposal, or the suggestion for a multinational consortium for uranium enrichment, would not have been possible without having a unified and perhaps more independent stance.

Mediator's role

The GCC has the potential to act as a mediator between Tehran and Washington. Its member-states have proved in the past that they are able to keep the channels of dialogue open to the highest Iranian officials. Given the limited US capacity to interact with Iranian officials at the highest levels and its difficulty in comprehending the complexity of Iranian politics, it can be advantageous for the US to work closely with the GCC states. Cooperation with both Iran and the US also gives a decisive advantage to the GCC states.

For the leaders in this region, it would be a nightmare come true if they woke up one morning to see that the two arch enemies, US and Iran, had finally came to a bilateral agreement leaving the GCC states out. By taking the mediatory role between US and Iran, the GCC states can make sure that any kind of lasting security arrangement will include all parties concerned in the Gulf - Iran, the US and the GCC states.

While GCC leaders have been reaching out to Tehran, they have also expressed their deepest concern to the Iranian leadership. They made it clear to President Ahmadinejad during the Doha summit that Iran's interventionist policy was unacceptable. Over the past several meetings between Iranian and GCC leaders, it has been made clear to Iran that the GCC states are under tremendous US and international pressure to isolate Iran, and that they need some positive gesture from Tehran to continue with "constructive engagement."

At the moment, Iran does not have many allies or friends; in fact, when it comes to a friend in the region which can have some impact on the US and EU policies, the GCC states might be Iran's only option.

For many in the US, the GCC's 'stick' is not going far enough. But just as the US policy toward Iran has limitations, the GCC states have their own constraints too, dictated by an array of strategic, political, economic and cultural factors.

Nicole Stracke is a researcher in the Security and Terrorism Department at the Gulf Research Centre in Dubai.