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Iran's First Acquisition after the Deal
(Al Arabiya) Abdulrahman al-Rashed - Iran's first acquisition after signing the draft nuclear deal, amid promises to lift sanctions, were long-range, S-300 missiles. The deal, even before finally being sealed, has already led to further militarization of the region and increasing tensions. Many Arab groups considered the missile deal as evidence that the nuclear deal "has increased Iran's aggressiveness and has not brought it closer to peace." The Gulf states have different calculations than Israel. Israel has the nuclear and conventional power that can destroy Iran in a day in the event of any war. Gulf countries primarily rely on air power, which had been significantly better than Iran's previous missiles. The S-300 missiles may weaken the ability of the Gulf's main force in the event of any external threat. Some may wonder: Why don't we have a peaceful outlook and hope that Iran, after gaining military confidence with the nuclear and Russian missile deals, will be more relaxed and stop spreading turmoil in the region? Because realities on the ground are different. Tehran's appetite for chaos will surge because it has realized it has neutralized Western countries from intervening. Tehran's leaders believe that the region has become an open map for the first time since the Sykes-Picot agreement, and the borders can be adjusted to suit Iran's own interests.