Iran nuclear ambitions are major Gulf threat: NATO

By Mohammed Abbas

MANAMA (Reuters) - NATO's secretary-general told Gulf Arab states on Thursday that Iran's nuclear ambitions were a major threat to regional stability.

"Iran's pursuit of uranium enrichment capability in violation of its U.N. Security Council obligations is a serious concern not just for Iran's neighbors but for the entire international community," Jaap de Hoop Scheffer told a conference to promote ties between NATO and Gulf Arab states.

Iran says its nuclear program is aimed solely at producing electricity but the West accuses it of trying to develop nuclear weapons, a charge Tehran denies. Gulf Arab states have also voiced concern over Iran's nuclear plans.

"We in the Gulf think Iran has the right to nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, but we fear Iran's intentions. We (the Gulf states) speak the same language on Iran," Bahraini politician Sheikh Khaled Khalifa al Khalifa told Reuters.

NATO, a 26-nation security and defense alliance of North American and European countries, has sought to bolster ties with Gulf Arab states. Bahrain, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar have agreed to explore cooperation opportunities.

At the conference, Bahrain signed an agreement with NATO on the exchange of security information.

NATO's dialogue with the Gulf countries is part of the Istanbul Cooperation Initiative, launched in 2004.

Saudi Arabia and Oman have yet to join the Istanbul initiative. An Omani conference delegate declined to comment on whether the country would eventually join while Saudi Arabia's representative said the kingdom had not yet decided.