Persian Gulf Security: U.S. Role and Iran's Place

This paper deals with the processes of formation of a security system in the Persian Gulf after the fall of Saddam Hussein, referring to the role played by the United States and challenges posed to the Islamic Republic of Iran. A historical study shows that setting Iran aside of the security system in the Persian Gulf has caused illegitimacy and fragility of the system. Findings demonstrate that U.S. security policy towards the Islamic Republic of Iran has been a two-tier policy (attracting Iran to the system and exerting pressures on Iran at the same time). The trends indicate that due to distrust found in Iran’s relations with the regional Arab actors, Iraq’s transitional, vague role in the region and continued dependence of the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council on the United States, along with the intensified challenges arising from Iran’s nuclear case, U.S. policy in the new era is based on intensified containment of Iran and forging a security system with the participation of GCC countries plus Iraq, while setting Iran aside.