Ten days after the ceasefire between Iran and Israel the consensus among most observers, including the IAEA, is that Iran has saved enough fissile material and the capacity to enrich it to weapons-grade in a matter of weeks and months than years. Should it? Why would she do so? Considering that two nuclear powers collaborated to attack Iran in an unprovoked war lends itself to a widespread opinion in the global South that Iran must have all it needs to defend itself.

North Korea is invoked as an example of a state largely labeled rogue, yet because of its known inventory of a dozen nuclear bombs escapes the wrath despite its pariah status. When weaponised Iran too would be able to ward off any aggression, goes the rationale.

Iran, though, continues to be viewed with suspicion especially by Israel and its principal backer, the US. Iran's regime of the Ayatollahs displaced the Pahlavis, friends to the US, and in its wake earned the perpetual disdain of US. Her stance and declarations against Israel and support of those who lie in proximity in a struggle against Israel rankles and irks every living moment of the Israeli state.

Traditionally, Iran has been looked at with suspicion by its littoral neighbours across the Persian Gulf — the Arab sheikhdoms. Sect-based differences are reinforced with ethnic exclusivity, as indeed does the revolutionary streak of Iran's regime. History of Iranian civilisation shadows what has only recently begun to be realised as an Arab civilisation stoking civilisational wariness.

Recent strides in wealth through oil and material prosperity have enhanced Arab significance at the global level accentuated through close alignment with the West. Most Gulf sheikhdoms house US military........

© The Express Tribune