Iran’s diplomatic surge extends to Gulf
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif is considering an invitation from Bahrain to attend the IISS Manama Dialogue Regional Security Summit, as UAE Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed al-Nahyan visits Tehran.
Years of tension between Iran and its Arab neighbors on the other side of the Gulf seem to be easing less than a week after the signing of a deal between Iran and the UN Security Council in the path to a comprehensive solution.
UAE Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed was the first of his Gulf counterparts to visit Tehran to show his country's support, calling for stronger ties between Iran and the UAE — "ties beyond the normal relations between neighbors and partners."
The Emirati official stressed the importance of cooperating with Tehran to find solutions for the "crises in the region, mainly in Syria and Afghanistan [and] especially terrorism and sectarian strife, through politics."
Another good sign came from Bahrain. The little Gulf kingdom that for the past couple of years has continuously accused Tehran of interfering in Bahrain and backing the uprising against the ruling family invited Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif to take part in the forthcoming Manama dialogue next month.
