Iran Issue To Exacerbate Sectarian Tensions

August 2008 | Political Risk Alert

Tensions between the GCC and Iran over the nuclear issue are putting further pressure on the Kuwaiti government, highlighting the domestic Sunni-Shi'a divide that could prove dangerous in the event of a strike on Iran. Following on from Iran's threat to close the Straits of Hormuz (through which most Gulf oil exports are transported) in the event of an attack by the US or Israel, Kuwaiti Foreign Minister said on Tuesday that such an action would be tantamount to punishing the GCC states. This provoked criticism from Shi'a MP Hussein al-Qallaf, who insisted that Kuwait should remain neutral.

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