صادرات آب ايران به كشورهاي عضو شوراي همكاري خليج فارس : انگيزه ها، تجربه ها، چشم اندازها

THE WATER FACTOR IN IRAN-GCC RELATIONS

The past fourteen years has witnessed ceaseles and untiring efforts by Iran to capture a share of the water market in the countries that make up the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council (PGCC). This article explores Iranʹs motives and goals in targeting the PGCC water market. It also examines the reasons for the failure of Iranʹs negotiations with Qatar and their success with Kuwait. Finally, it considers why Iran was slow in responding to Kuwaiti requests for a rapid conclusion of the deal. With respect to the first question, it is argued that Iranʹs goals and motives have been primarily political rather than economic. Regarding the second, the article contends that the failure of negotiations with Qatar stemmed from Iran not accommodation the influential political actors in the Emirate. The talks with Kuwait succeeded because Iran did bring the influential actors on board. Iranʹs failure to conclude the talks with Kuwait more speedily is attributed to Tehranʹs concerns about the domestic repercussions of the deal.