الرئيسية
DUBAI (Reuters) - Satellite television channels are widening the
divide between Arabs and Iranians by airing alleged calls by Iran for
revolt in Gulf states and what Tehran sees as Western-driven cultural
propaganda aimed at toppling its Islamic theocracy.
Mistrust has long vexed relations between Shi'ite Muslim Iran and the
U.S.-backed, conservative Sunni Muslim Arab monarchies on the other
side of the Gulf.
But the atmosphere worsened dramatically this year as contagion from
popular protests that overthrew three North African leaders reached Gulf
Arab states with substantial but largely powerless Shi'ite communities.
Bahrain has accused Iran's Arabic-language news channel Al Alam of
inciting Shi'ite-led protests that threatened the Sunni al-Khalifa
ruling family earlier this year before they were suppressed with the
help of Saudi and Emirati forces.
Likewise, Saudi Arabia has indirectly blamed Iran for unrest in its oil-producing Eastern Province, home to many Shi'ites.
"Around-the-clock broadcasts in Arabic by Iran's state-run radio and
television stations incited our population to engage in acts of
violence, sabotage, and insurrection," Bahraini King Hamad complained in
November.
"Iran's propaganda fuelled the flames of sectarian strife." Tehran has denied egging on Shi'ite protesters abroad.
divide between Arabs and Iranians by airing alleged calls by Iran for
revolt in Gulf states and what Tehran sees as Western-driven cultural
propaganda aimed at toppling its Islamic theocracy.
Mistrust has long vexed relations between Shi'ite Muslim Iran and the
U.S.-backed, conservative Sunni Muslim Arab monarchies on the other
side of the Gulf.
But the atmosphere worsened dramatically this year as contagion from
popular protests that overthrew three North African leaders reached Gulf
Arab states with substantial but largely powerless Shi'ite communities.
Bahrain has accused Iran's Arabic-language news channel Al Alam of
inciting Shi'ite-led protests that threatened the Sunni al-Khalifa
ruling family earlier this year before they were suppressed with the
help of Saudi and Emirati forces.
Likewise, Saudi Arabia has indirectly blamed Iran for unrest in its oil-producing Eastern Province, home to many Shi'ites.
"Around-the-clock broadcasts in Arabic by Iran's state-run radio and
television stations incited our population to engage in acts of
violence, sabotage, and insurrection," Bahraini King Hamad complained in
November.
"Iran's propaganda fuelled the flames of sectarian strife." Tehran has denied egging on Shi'ite protesters abroad.