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Arab Distrust of Iran Gains Momentum

(AP/Washington Post) Steven R. Hurst and Diana Elias - The emir of Qatar, on a visit to Iran, referred to the Arab Gulf. Iran's president was quick to correct him: it's the Persian Gulf, he said. The incident reflected the deep and growing disquiet among Iran's Arab neighbors over Tehran's nuclear ambitions. Most anxious are Arab countries that lie on the east side of the Arabian Peninsula, across the water from Iran. They worry about deadly pollution should Iran suffer a nuclear accident and about possible Iranian retaliation against American military bases in Kuwait, Qatar, and Bahrain should the U.S. launch a pre-emptive strike. There is also anxiety about possible civil strife between the ruling Sunni Muslim majorities and Shiite minorities who might side with Shiite Iran if the Americans were to attack.
2006-05-04 00:00:00
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