It seems clear that the American-Iranian tension is escalating. It is also clear that the Gulf region remains an arena for this escalation, whether the conflict slips into a military confrontation or remains in the framework of diplomatic ties and economic sanctions. As such, the Gulf countries are at the core of any equation in this conflict, both with its nuclear aspect (and the ensuing international sanctions on Iran) or its regional aspect (and Tehran's ensuing growing hegemony towards the Gulf). Hence, these countries and their stances will be the centre of a campaign, one that involves intimidation and enticement, in order to attract them in this or that direction. The partnership of economic and oil interests between the United States and the Gulf countries needs no evidence. Neither party misses an opportunity to stress and hold onto this partnership. Sometimes, this partnership is coupled with a convergence in attitudes and political objectives. Both parties do not hide the nature of this alliance. Iran always looks at this relationship with suspicion despite its endeavor to show warmth towards the Gulf States, especially the Gulf Cooperation Council, after the equation in Iraq was reshuffled in its favor and after its relationship with Yemen deteriorated. Thus, the double-standard nature of the overt Iranian rhetoric vis-à-vis the Gulf Cooperation Council Countries becomes clear. On the one hand, Tehran is keen on exchanging visits with the capitals of these countries. Statements that stress positive relations with them increase, stressing that its goal is to boost stability and security in the Gulf and to exchange interests with its countries. This was announced once again by the Iranian Foreign Ministry's spokesman when he said that the relations between Iran and the Gulf States are “very good and amicable,” and that “a positive dealing in the region is the only appropriate approach to reach peace and stability.” On the other hand, Tehran threatens these countries over their relations with the United States, and cautions them against any American steps targeting Iran, to the extent of implying that it can consider the Gulf States to be an arena for its military operations in case the United States and Israel attack the Iranian territories. So according to Tehran's understanding, good relations with the neighboring countries imply that these countries espouse the Iranian policy and serve the Iranian interests, regardless of the nature of this policy and goals and their conformity with the Gulf policy and goals, i.e. the Gulf countries become proxies for Tehran, so the situation becomes stable and security prevails. Any Gulf endeavor to find a solution and a settlement that secures the rights of both parties will be in the eyes of Tehran a biased position to the arrogant powers and the West. This is what practically occurs at the level of the nuclear program, which Iran refuses to offer any guarantees about its nature. According to Iran, the talk about good neighborly relations is enough to reassure those opposing the proliferation of nuclear weapons in the region, and those afraid of the serious flaw in the balance of powers due to Tehran's acquisition of nuclear arms. The United States benefits from this refusal, whether to expand its alliances or military deployment in the region that is very critical for its economy, especially with the start of the countdown of its withdrawal from Iraq, and its predicament in Afghanistan. On the occasion of [the release of] press information about upgrading the US missile defense systems in the region, and regardless of the motives attributed to the United States behind the region (deterring the Iranian missile capacity, reassuring the allies in the region, and convincing Israel not to stage an attack on Iran), it was noticed that Qatar is among the Gulf States included by [the US plan] to deploy American missiles, in addition to Bahrain, UAE, Kuwait, and perhaps Oman. Obviously, these missiles are not deployed in any country against its will, but rather upon its consent. This means that Qatar agrees to the deployment of these missiles on its territories. It is no secret that Qatar's policy is almost the same as the Iranian policy regarding many issues that concern the region. The Qatari media is almost a mouthpiece for the Iranian policy. Despite this outstanding Qatari-Iranian relationship, Qatar is not safe from Iran and its missiles in case a confrontation breaks out in the Gulf. This is why it agreed to the US defense systems on its territories. This Qatari position indirectly responds to Tehran, which deems the American presence alone as being a source of threat to the Gulf States. These countries – despite all what is being said – continue to consider that the Iranian military programs, in addition to the regional ambitions, are a source of threat to them too.
