Iran is facing growing international isolation, increasingly crippling sanctions and possible military action over its nuclear program which the West suspects is aimed at producing atomic weapons. The last thing you expect from such a country is that it would worsen its diplomatic predicament by reopening old wounds with its neighbors thereby causing the regional situation to become more unfriendly, if not hostile. Unfortunately, this is not how Iranian President Ahmadinejad sees things. He seems to think that any addition to the number of Tehran's enemies, real or potential, would only make his country stronger. This can be the only explanation for his trip to disputed Abu Musa island, a trip which was as ill-timed as it was provocative. Abu Musa is one of three Gulf islands that are the subject of a longtime border dispute between Iran and the United Arab Emirates. (The two other islands are the Greater and Lesser Tunbs.) As was to be expected, the UAE recalled its ambassador to Iran on Thursday in protest, and the Emirates also canceled a friendly match with Iran's national soccer team which was due to be held on Tuesday in the Gulf state. Iran, according to the UAE, has been illegally occupying Abu Musa since 1971 when the Shah was the ruler. This is considered to be the first trip by a head of state since Tehran took possession of the island 41 years ago. The Iranian media describe Ahmadinejad's visit as part of a tour of Iran's Gulf coast by the president. It is true that the Iranian leader, while on Abu Musa, did not refer to the territorial dispute. The visit is also not going to alter the legal status of the island although the Iranians have taken complete control and have installed an airport and military base there. But there is no denying that the presidential visit constitutes a setback to efforts to find a peaceful resolution to the dispute. It will also worsen relations between Tehran and its Gulf neighbors unleashing the forces of instability and raising tension throughout the region. The UAE is willing to take the dispute to the International Court of Justice in The Hague or engage in direct negotiations with Tehran's leadership. Iran may have its own reasons for refusing to agree to either of the UAE's demands. Tehran's claims over the islands may not be as unassailable as Ahmadinejad insists but why should the Iranian leadership revive an issue which has been lying dormant for the last 41 years? Either the leaders of Iran want to divert the attention of their people from more pressing problems at home or think they can survive only in an atmosphere of continuing tension and instability. Either way this is reckless adventurism. Ahmadinejad is playing with fire and gambling with the future of his country. He has agreed to talk with UAE leaders to clear up “misunderstandings.” First, let him address the concerns that his neighbors and the world community at large have about his intentions. __
