US Will Not Abandon Arab Allies to Iran, Robert Gates Says
Richard Spencer in Dubai
May 7,2009
The leading Arab powers, notably Saudi Arabia and Egypt, are deeply concerned about Iran's nuclear ambitions and its rising influence across the Middle East. The Sunni powers rely on America to contain Iran's Shia regime and are concerned about the possible consequences of Mr Obama's conciliatory approach towards the Islamic Republic.
Robert Gates, the US defence secretary, visited Egypt and Saudi Arabia to reassure them that America will not spring a "grand bargain" with Iran on them without warning.
Mr Gates described these fears as "exaggerated" and "completely unrealistic", saying: "We will keep our friends informed about what is going so that nobody gets surprised."
Mr Gates played down the chances of America achieving a comprehensive settlement with Iran. "I believe that kind of prospect is very remote," he said in Cairo. "We'll just have to see how the Iranians respond to the offer from the President. Frankly, some of the first things that have happened as a result of the extension of that open hand have not been encouraging."
But Mr Gates had limited success in winning over his hosts. A statement from the Gulf Cooperation Council, which represents Saudi Arabia and five other Gulf states, expressed the "hope" that "any dialogue" between America and Iran "will not come at our expense". Referring obliquely to Iran, the statement added: "There exists a strategic and military threat [to Gulf countries] and we are against any nuclear programme that isn't approved by the International Atomic Energy Agency."
Saudi Arabia fears Iranian influence over its restless Shia minority. The situation is more delicate in other states, notably Bahrain where a Sunni monarchy coexists uneasily with a Shia majority.