Iran woos Mideast business elite
Financial times reports Iran took its diplomatic offensive to the Middle East’s business and political elite at the the weekend, deploying its politicians at a high-profile conference to make its case as it fights off international pressure over its nuclear programme. Iranian officials, including Manouchehr Mottaki, the foreign minister, were present for the first time at the World Economic Forum conference at the Dead Sea Resort in Jordan attended by business and political leaders, including Israeli delegates. Tzipi Livni, Israeli foreign minister, however cancelled her attendance.
Seeking the support of ordinary Arabs and Muslims with anti-Israeli slogans has been a cornerstone of Iran’s foreign policy under President Mahmoud Ahmadi- Nejad. But the strategy has infuriated Arab governments, and intensified suspicions of Tehran’s intentions at a time when its influence in the region has grown. This has led Iran to step up contacts with Arab rulers. Mr Ahmadi-Nejad has travelled to Saudi Arabia and most recently to the United Arab Emirates – the first trip by an Iranian president since the 1979 Islamic revolution. In March, Iran sent its foreign minister, as an observer, to the Arab League summit in Riyadh. “Iran is trying to take advantage of every opportunity to make its case and it knows that the Arab world is more receptive to its message,” said Mohammed Ali Abtahi, the former Iranian vice-president. “Iranians have something in common with the Arabs – they are both against Israel’s nuclear programme.” Abdelaziz al-Sager, head of the Dubai-based Gulf Research Centre and a critic of Iran, said Tehran’s active diplomacy was also aimed at a domestic audience. “They want to send the message that we’re active and that we’re neutralising the Gulf.” The Iranian efforts has not assuaged the concerns of Arab regimes, which see many of its regional policies at odds with their own. Shia Iran meanwhile suspects its Sunni Arab neighbours, all allies of the US, of working to undermine it. But the dialogue with the region has, at least temporarily, eased Shia-Sunni tensions, and put Arab rulers on the spot, prompting many to declare opposition to US military strikes on Iran over its nuclear programme. “The Iranians waste no opportunity to make their voices heard, but they still have a difficult case to sell,” said Ayman Safadi, editor of Jordan’s al-Ghad newspaper.
