And One of the Bitterness of Life is Seeing an Enemy Whose Friendship You Cannot Do Without

The injustice of geography has caused the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states to hesitate in their relations with Iran, echoing the words of the poet Abu al-Tayyib al-Mutanabbi:

“And among the hardships of the world for a noble man is to see an enemy whom he cannot avoid despite his sincerity.”

Throughout history, this relationship has been characterized by Persian antagonism toward the peoples of the region, even after the Persians embraced Islam. Their core ideology is rooted in an imperial mindset, viewing themselves as a more powerful and advanced people than those in neighboring territories. However, due to geographic proximity, they are compelled to maintain relations with their neighbors.

Thus, when we today hear of signs of an agreement between the United States and Iran, and Western and European media propagate that GCC states wish to halt the war and end the anomalous situation, we see this as an application of the Arab poet Nasr bin Siyar’s verse: “I see the spark of fire hidden in the embers.” Alternatively, it is an Iranian deception based on their ability to impose their conditions on the world, not just the Arab Gulf states or the United States. They claim to be close to an agreement and to imposing their terms because the foundation is built on a major flaw: Tehran’s pursuit of a military nuclear system, even if cloaked in slogans committing to the peaceful nature of the project.

Before anything else, we must examine the statement issued by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and the military command, which declared: “Any new aggression will not remain confined within narrow geographic boundaries, and may extend to include military bases or parties providing support for hostile operations.” What does this mean politically?

First and foremost, the issuer of this threat indirectly confirms that it possesses the capability to reach any target it desires, possibly including Europe and others. This implies that the justification of a peaceful nuclear project is merely a smokescreen. This was precisely why the American-Israeli attack was launched at the time to thwart the Iranian plan.

It is true that the United States’ major punitive campaign against the Iranian regime significantly delayed the militarization of this project. Furthermore, the current strictness in maritime and land blockades aligns with the interests of all nations, aiming for the slow demise of the regime. Indicators of this have begun to emerge in recent months.

Iran has always employed deception to avoid defeat through procrastination, a tactic present for centuries. The Persian strategy has historically been to turn losses into opportunities to achieve their goals by stalling time. This dates back to their defeat by the Greeks at the Battle of Marathon in 490 BC, through their defeat by Khalid ibn al-Walid’s forces at the Battle of Dhat al-Salasil, and up to their defeat by the British.

Today is no different from yesterday; in fact, their capacity for political deception has increased through the formation of sectarian militias in several Arab countries. These militias serve as their Trojan Horse, not only in Lebanon, Syria, and Iraq, but also in Yemen and some other countries, by spreading their deviant ideology in the literature of Arab and non-Arab peoples.

Therefore, when we read the third verse of Abu al-Tayyib’s poem and apply it to Iran’s neighboring countries, we arrive at the truth of the Persian mentality, which is characterized by an excessive desire for revenge. Even if the Iranian wraps himself in the garments of a gentle lamb and a close friend, the poet described this accurately:

“And the bitterness lies in a man who conceals harm,

With calmness on his face and malice in his heart.”