Iran aims to destabilise ME, warns Brian Hook

A top US envoy has warned Iran against indulging in a proxy war against Bahrain, which he said was “part of a much larger strategy to destabilise the region”. “Iran must stop testing and proliferating missiles, stop launching and developing nuclear-capable missiles, and stop supporting its militias in Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Bahrain, and Yemen,” said US Special Representative for Iran and Senior Policy Advisor to the Secretary of State, Brian Hook hailing Bahrain as a ‘key partner’ in Iran strategy.

Speaking on the US-Iran policy at the Bahrain Center for Strategic, International and Energy Studies (Derasat) in a specially arranged roundtable discussion, he said that the US and Bahrain are working closely to promote stability and strengthen security in the region. “Iran, on the other hand, has tried to weaken national identity in Bahrain and create sectarian divisions.  But Bahrain’s leaders have responded by deepening their commitment to peaceful coexistence and religious freedom,” Hook told the conference held in conjunction with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s visit to the region. Bahrain, the US Special Representative said, is a “key partner in our Iran strategy.”

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Sheikh Abdulla bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, the Chairman of Derasat, affirmed the longstanding relations between Bahrain and the United States, and Bahrain’s commitment to the US’s strategy to combat Iran’s destabilising activities. The meeting, Dr Sheikh Abdulla said, highlighted the importance of convening relevant stakeholders in Research Centers such as Derasat as a way of coordinating efforts and creating partnerships. He told the US Special Representative that the Kingdom is looking forward to continuing efforts in this regard.

Meanwhile, Iran, which failed in its attempt to launch a satellite named Payam into orbit said yesterday that it will be ready for a new satellite launch in a few months’ time, The National report said quoting President Hassan Rouhani. Earlier this month, Pompeo said that the launch defied UN Security Council resolution 2231 of 2015, which endorsed an international agreement, from which the United States has withdrawn, on ending Iran’s nuclear weapons. “The launch yet again shows that Iran is pursuing enhanced missile capabilities that threaten Europe and the Middle East,” Pompeo tweeted.

The United States says Iran can use technical know-how from satellite launches to develop long-range missiles. Both the Payam and its carrier were designed and produced at Tehran’s Amirkabir University of Technology. University head Ahmad Motamedi said Amirkabir had already received an order for a replacement, Mehr news agency reported. Iran also plans to launch another low Earth orbit satellite, the Doosti (Friendship in Persian), Jahromi said.

He did not give a date for the launch but said the satellite was intended to orbit the earth at an altitude of 250 kilometres (156 miles). Iran’s satellite-delivery rockets use technology “virtually identical” to nuclear-capable ballistic missiles, Pompeo said on January 3. “The United States will not stand by and watch the Iranian regime’s destructive policies place international stability and security at risk.” Iran  has launched several short-life satellites into orbit over the past decade, including the Simorgh and the Pajouhesh.