Our region was the cradle of civilization where the world’s three monotheistic faiths originated. Unfortunately, this region has also been the battle field for endless disputes. Conflicting ideologies, competing regional aspirations, strategic interests of world powers, and attempts to tap the region’s natural resources by many players, are some of the reasons behind these seemingly endless struggles. Despite being relatively small, GCC countries are rich and attractive to any ambitious adventurer. Today, our survival as nations is at risk and we need to formulate real alliances to fend off potential aggressors.

In a rosy world, every nation wants to live in peace with its neighbors; however, a responsible head of household must do something to rectify the situation when rubbish is thrown on their doorsteps by a neighbor. A nation is obliged to defend itself against any act of aggression. A rosy world where you can sleep in peace believing that everybody around you is full of goodwill is a fascinating dream. All the same, in a world of ever-diminishing resources, we can not expect such a world.

Iran’s threatening maneuvers must be stopped. Let us quit playing with words of diplomacy! Like it or not, there is a fact that we all must recognize: the probability of the region succumbing to Iran’s military dominance is increasing day by day. To reach this end, Iran has slowly been implementing carefully devised processes. In this context, the Iranians have managed to persuade the GCC leaders that they have no hidden agenda or expansionist policy, but friendly wishes for the Arab neighbors. However, we cannot rest on the superficiality of such assurances.

On 26th July, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mohammadi questioned the legitimacy of GCC states predicting their demise. “The next crisis predicted to cover mainly the ‘Persian Gulf’ is the crisis of legitimacy of the traditional systems, which considering current circumstances cannot go on living," said Mohammadi.
Such a statement can be interpreted in the very least as an offensive act. It can also be interpreted as threatening. In any case, it cannot be made by someone who pretends friendship.
Gulf Cooperation Council Secretary General Abdurrahman Al Attiyah immediately slammed the Iranian official’s statement.

"GCC states are very disappointed by, and deeply concerned at, such irresponsible remarks and they expect an immediate clarification from Iran of its deputy foreign minister's statement. Such suspicious comments do not at all help build trust among states of the region. They can only stoke conflicts and drag the region into a cycle of dangerous crises," he said.

I appreciate Mr. Al Attiyah’s words. However, voices of our leaders must be loud and affirmative this time, to support the Secretary General’s statement. We are facing a prominent Iranian official who made an unprecedented and unjustified evocative attack against our governments and their legitimacy.

The silence maintained by major policy makers in Tehran regarding the statements of their Deputy Foreign Minister would by all means let us conclude that the offense was approved by their leadership.
 
Our governments must now take a strict and clear stand vis-à-vis Iran. Every time they abstain from answering such an offense, Iran’s behavior will become more aggressive. Who knows to where Iran will extend its arms next time, after it has established a strong grip in Iraq, Syria, Lebanon and Gaza?
Talking to the world with a unified voice will not be sufficient for GCC member states now. They must work to obtain clear definitions of their allies’ positions regarding all disagreements between Iran and Arabs, including Iran’s continuing occupation of the UAE’s own three islands.

Many GCC member states have worked closely with the US in its ‘War on Terror’ during the last few years. These states did so to help a so-called ally. However, such a relationship is not supposed to be a one-way road. Is it not the right time for the US to recognize the Arab Gulf and not the ‘Persian Gulf’?
In 1935 the World was asked to say Iran instead of Persia. And in 1979, the country was renamed as the Islamic Republic of Iran. So, why does Iran insist on using the ‘Persian Gulf’ and not the ‘Iranian Gulf’? Does the word ‘Persia’ hold an imperial resonance?

In fact, the majority of GCC member states have no problem with the Iranians in naming the Gulf in the way everyone wants to, in the same way England and France use different names for the body of water separating them: the ‘English Channel’ in England and ‘La Manche’ in France. However, Iran sees this as a fundamental issue and has mobilized all its media institutions to support its cause.

Our governments must stop their policy of self-restraint that has been in place for a long time. Instead, we must tell Iran that while we are striving to build friendly and peaceful relationships with our neighbors on the other bank of the Gulf, we will not accept being pushed to the margins. Yes, on an individual level, we might be small countries, but as a block, we are strong and influential; we have strong allies with whom we have important mutual interests.

Friends might come or go, but neighbors will stay with us. The region’s nations must comprehensively understand this fact and work to serve the interests of the region’s peoples and their shared bonds developed over mutual histories.

Khalaf Al Habtoor