AIP demands that Iran not infringe on Bahrain's sovereignty

Iran’s tendency for apocalyptic inclinations and provocative politics are well established inspiring considerable global commentary as well as continual relabeling with whatever happens to be the ‘word of the moment’ for rogue, uncooperative and general nuisance state. Although there are several Iranian issues that receive consistent disapproval from global power players, the assumptions of its Imperial ambitions, its nostalgia for past days of Empire and its alleged blue prints for reviving them have recently caused a backlash among its Arab neighbours.

A ‘minor’ diplomatic hiccup has again developed this last week between Iran and Bahrain, the result of a statement by a speaker of Iranian parliament, Ali Akber Natey Nouri, in which he stated that under the Shah ‘Bahrain was our 14th province and had a representative in parliament’. Such territorial claims by individuals in the public eye are not unusual, two years previously the editor of hard-line Iranian newspaper Kayhan, and one of Khameini advisors made similar statements in an editorial, although this is not the official position of the government itself. Such outburst however will do no more than increasingly drive a wedge between Iran and its neighbours and a popularity vote implies that it’s not in a position to lose many more friends.

During Sundays Arab Interim Parliament (AIP) session, in light of these inflammatory comments, representatives from various Arab states demanded that Iranian officials respect the sovereignty of the Kingdom of Bahrain, and refrain from making provocative statements regarding Bahrain’s place in the Persian Empire. Socio-politically, the claim that there is a link between Sunni ruled Bahrain and Shia Iran is a volatile one; the little Island is ruled by a Sunni Monarchy but populated by a Shia majority. Iran, who postulates itself as the heart and soul of Shi’itism and has a reputation for meddling with Shia populations, is causing unrest among its neighbours who worry it is laying the foundations for a revolt. Direct relations between Bahrain and Iran are being strained to breaking point with Bahrain feeling Iran is not only trying to undermine its Arabic identity but is questioning the legitimacy of its ruling body. Economically, the ramifications of these claims by Iranian officials have been a cessation in the negotiations with Iran on a natural gas import deal. Arab governments have been clear in their support standing firmly beside Bahrain and additionally back UAE accusations concerning Iran’s annexation of three of its Islands; the Kuwaiti cabinet spelling out its position on Monday in a statement condemning such claims and noting that they, although unofficial, hinder sincere efforts by the GCC in its desire to establish a relationship of friendship and cooperation with Iran.

Iran however was quick to react to accusations of its alleged expansion plans to Bahrain showing that officially it has no interest in inflaming the crisis. The government released a statement to Arabic TV channels in an attempt to placate the situation by clarifying that it has no territorial ambitions in Bahrain. The issue of the islands of Abu Musa and Lesser Tunb and Greater Tunb however continues to hang in the balance as demands by Arab representatives for a good will gesture and assurance of Iran’s proposed desire to strengthen regional relations by withdrawing from the occupied islands remains to be realised.

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