With nuclear deal done, Iran sets out to reassure wary Gulf Arabs

The foreign ministers of Iran and Kuwait met here on Sunday noon.

Most Gulf Arab states are concerned that the July 14 accord will hasten a rapprochement between Tehran and Washington that could embolden the Islamic Republic to heighten support for paramilitary groups across the Middle East.

The authority, Mohammad Javad Zarif, proceeded a day long, three-country walk on Kuwait. He was due to go to Iraq next.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has arrived in Kuwait to begin a regional tour that also includes visits to Qatar and Iraq to discuss the nuclear deal reached between Tehran and six world powers.

Asked if Iran will change its policy in Syria and Iraq following the deal, Zarif said Iran has been at the forefront in fighting against the Islamic State group and Al-Qaeda, and its timely interference prevented the fall of Baghdad and Arbil to IS.

“Just as we defended Dahuk, Erbil and Suleimaniyah [in Iraqi Kurdistan], if any country in the whole region is a victim of aggression, the Iranian nation will defend the oppressed”, Rouhani added.

“The fight against extremism and violence as well as strengthening regional ties are a fundamental necessity to achieve sustainable development and security in the region”, Amir-Abdollahian told Iran’s state news broadcaster. He is expected to hold talks later with the ruling emir, Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmed Al Sabah, who paid his first visit as head of state to Iran previous year.

“This approach is not constructive and it will not stop Iran’s trust-building policy to cooperate with regional countries to fight against extremism and terrorism”, Afkham was quoted as saying by state news agency, IRNA.

Bahrain has recalled its ambassador to Tehran for discussions after what it said were repeated hostile Iranian statements.

Announcing the arrests, the ministry said the two suspects had admitted receiving the shipment of explosives, automatic weapons and ammunition from Iranian handlers outside Bahrain’s territorial waters.

Sunni Muslim-ruled Bahrain, home to the U.S. Navy’s Fifth Fleet, often accuses Iran, a Shi’ite Muslim theocracy, of seeking to subvert Bahrain.

Bahrain last week summoned Iran’s acting charge d’affaires, Mortadha Sanubari, to protest comments made by top Iranian leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Consular Affairs Hassan Ghashghavi downplayed the ambassador’s recall.