The current tension over the nuclear ambitions of Iran is causing great concern among its Arab neighbours. While they are individually too weak to express their apprehensions over a nuclear Iran, collectively they are not in a position to organise themselves effectively against such a possibility.

Excessive focus on Iran, especially its nuclear potential, runs counter to immediate Arab interests. Such a posture would put them at variance with the Arab street, which is sympathetic to Iran. In recent months, debate over Iran’s suspected nuclear ambitions has largely been presented as an American agenda against an Islamic country. Hence, publicly highlighting the dangers of a nuclear Iran would position Arab rulers as US henchmen against Tehran.

Moreover, having lived under Israel’s widely recognised nuclear potential, the Arab states could not possibly air their opposition to Iran taking a similar recourse. Given the scarce support base of many Arab regimes, such a posture would be suicidal.

Yet, the Arab regimes are not enamoured by Iran’s growing military muscle. Its enhanced missile capability is bound to cause tension and anxiety among its Arab neighbours. Its Shahab-3 missiles have a range of about 1,300 km and Iranian officials have publicly claimed they are developing a new variant of the Shahab, with an extended range of 2,000 km.

The Arabs also are not comfortable with Iran’s regional ambitions. Its growing military might comes against the background of unresolved or renewed disputes between Iran and the wider Arab world. Iran is yet to normalise relations with Egypt and the portrait of President Anwar Sadat’s assassin still hangs in a prominent street of Tehran.

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