Following escalating tensions in Gulf, demands to include Arab states in Iran nuclear talks

Eslam Mohamed

In light of the escalating tension in the Arabian Gulf region between Tehran and the West, which threatens the security of the entire region, UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Dr Anwar Gargash has said it is vital to include Arab Gulf states in any negotiations regarding the crisis.

Gargash  said on Sunday that Iran should come to the table to talk about a new deal that tackles its nuclear program, ballistic missiles and regional interference.

“For such a process to work, it is essential that the international community is on the same page, especially the US and the EU, as well as the Arab Gulf states,” Dr Gargash said during the annual Abu Dhabi Strategic Debate.

Gargash said diplomacy is needed now more than ever to “create a new, more stable regional order in which all countries will be able to thrive.”

This comes after a tweet by Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in which he said, “In keeping with Iran’s foreign policy that posits our neighbors should always come first, regional cooperation remains a priority.”

“We hope this cooperation can be welcomed by neighbors to our south, too,” he added.

Furthermore, head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) Ali Akbar Salehi has said Iran is ready to exchange with Gulf countries its experience with regard to developing nuclear technology and cooperate with them.

The AEOI chief made the remarks while addressing a ceremony held in the southern port city of Bushehr in Iran to start construction of the second and third reactors of the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant.

In other details, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said Iran’s stock stockpiles of low-enriched uranium are still growing in violation of the 2015 nuclear deal, and affirmed that Iran is now enriching uranium at its underground Fordow facility, which is also prohibited by the nuclear agreement.

It also said Iran continues to enrich uranium up to 5%, above the 3.67% allowed by the deal known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, or JCPOA.

Researcher in Iranian affairs Mohamed Alaeddin has said in an interview with The Reference that Tehran violated the 2015 nuclear deal and this requires punishment, as this deal is now considered canceled, because it did not represent enough deterrent for Tehran and its threats to the security of the region and the whole world.

He also added that Iran wants to overcome the plight of US sanctions, without making significant concessions, pointing out that  Arab countries are more concerned than others to discuss the terms of the new agreement with Tehran, because it directly affect their interests.