Theresa May supports Gulf leaders on Iran threat
The premier reaffirms British support for traditional allies in the region, while also seeking to strengthen post-Brexit trade
Dubai — Prime Minister Theresa May told Gulf leaders on Wednesday that Britain would help "push back" against Iranian aggression as they agreed on a strategic partnership to deepen ties. Addressing a summit of the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) in Bahrain, May reaffirmed British support for traditional allies in the region, while also seeking to strengthen post-Brexit trade. "I want to assure you that I am clear-eyed about the threat that Iran poses to the Gulf and to the wider Middle East," she told leaders of the GCC, which brings together Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. The mainly Sunni Arab Gulf monarchies and Shiite Iran are bitter regional rivals, at odds over a range of issues including the wars in Syria and Yemen. GCC countries are concerned about Iran’s growing influence in the region, especially after 2015’s nuclear deal between Tehran and world powers took a step towards ending its global isolation. The Iran agreement wa...
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