The United States and its Gulf Arab allies are quietly discussing future relations with Iran, according to a report by Middle East News Link (MENL).
The discussions are taking place as most Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states are expressing interest in improving relations with Iran in all spheres. This includes security cooperation, said the report.
Last month, Iran and Saudi Arabia signed a security cooperation agreement that does not include military issues. Arab diplomatic sources were quoted by MENL as saying that other members of the GCC were interested in a similar accord.
The future of both Arab and US relations with Iran are being discussed during the current visit by Bahrain emir, Hamad bin Issa Al Khalifa.
The emir met US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld on Tuesday in the wake of the signing of a series of agreements between Bahrain and Iran.
However, the eport did not mention whether the UAE was showing a similar interest in better relations with Tehran, which is still intransigent on its position regarding the disputed Gulf islands, Greater and Smaller Tunb, and Abu Moussa.
The GCC has urged Iran to accept international arbitration, wile the Islamic republic insists that the oil-rich islands are integral Iranian territories, but has not closed the door on one-to-one negotiations – Albawaba.com
