At the November 26-28, 2005, Mediterranean Dialogue seminar of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, held in Doha, Qatar, a senior official of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) publicly expressed fears of Iran’s on-going nuclear program for the first time. In remarks during the meeting, GCC Secretary General Abdul-Rahman al-Atiya declared that “Iran’s nuclear program has become worrisome for the region and a fundamental concern for all the countries of the world.” [1] The Gulf Cooperation Council is a grouping of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. An Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman subsequently criticized the GCC’s statement and urged “the Secretary-General of the Cooperation Council to review its misperceptions in assessing and understanding Iran.” [2]

The NATO Assembly seminar brought together parliamentarians and members of consultative councils from NATO countries, the Assembly’s Mediterranean partner countries, and the GCC states to explore the security situation and exchange views about the state of political and social reform in the region. [3] On November 27, the conference focused on security issues threatening the stability of the Middle East, highlighting two pressing concerns: the instability in Iraq and issues with Iran.

During the conference’s final session, GCC Secretary General al-Attiyah lashed out at Iran in a lengthy presentation. Al-Attiyah blamed Iran for interfering in the internal affairs of GCC countries and stressed “that Iran is increasing its role in Iraq, especially in the South.” [4] He went on to say that, “Iran attaining nuclear weapons will lead to instability in the region and an arms race that will spread an unjustified climate of mistrust,” adding that “Iran is forcing the GCC states to ‘side’ with the superpowers due to Iran’s insistent pursuit of nuclear weapons.” [5] The Qatari newspaper al-Rayah characterized al-Attiyah’s statements as “the first public criticism [by the GCC] of Iran over its nuclear program.” [6]

The following day, the Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman, Hamid Reza Asefi rejected al-Attiyah’s claims. Asefi stated that “such claims are only in the interest of, and in-line with, the illegitimate goals of the enemies of regional stability and security.” [7] Asefi went on to say that “Iran’s principled policy is to create a region free from weapons of mass destruction. It will at the same time pursue its right to access new technologies, especially peaceful nuclear technology.” [8]

The exchange marks a shift in the public discourse in the Persian Gulf. While suspicions of Iran’s nuclear ambitions, coupled with increased Iranian influence in post-war Iraq, have been a matter of concern among Arab Gulf states, al-Attiyah’s explicit public remarks are the first made by the GCC leadership, although similar sentiments have been expressed by Saudi officials. Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister, Prince Faisal, for example, expressed concern over Iran’s increasing influence in Iraq during a trip to Washington, DC, in late September 2005. [9] Al-Attiyah’s latest remarks may indicate a shift in the position of GCC states on the matter of Iran’s nuclear program, since criticism of these activities was all but absent from prior official pronouncements. It is possible that following the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Board of Governors’ finding in September 2005 that Iran was not in compliance with its obligations under the Nonproliferation Treaty, regional actors have become increasingly alarmed at Tehran’s insistence on achieving mastery of the nuclear fuel cycle.

SOURCES:
[1] “GCC Calls on Tehran to Enforce Stability, Security in Gulf Region,” Arab Times, November 28, 2005.
[2] “GCC Chief Blasts Tehran,” Gulf Times, November 28, 2005.
[3] “NATO Legislators Hold First Seminar in the Gulf,” NATO Parliamentary website, November 30, 2005.
[4] Mahmood Almaky Ahmad, “al-Atiyah Expresses Gulf Fear of Iran’s Nuclear Program,” Dar Al-Hayat, November 28, 2005.
[5] Ibid.
[6] Anwar Al-Khatib, “GCC Official Criticizes Iran Over Nuclear Program,” Al-Rayah, November 28, 2005, available from FBIS, document GMP20051128512002.
[7] “Foreign Ministry Spokesman Criticizes GCC Official’s Misperceptions,” Mehr News Agency, November 29, 2005, available from FBIS, document IAP20051129011022.
[8] Anwar Al-Khatib, “GCC Official Criticizes Iran Over Nuclear Program,” Al-Rayah, November 28, 2005.
[9] “Saudi Foreign Minister Says Iraqis Complain of Iran’s Interference,” BBC Monitoring International Reports, September 24, 2005.