Opportunities will come if Iranian nuclear deal is reached

The possibility of an Iranian nuclear deal looms over the Gulf’s Arab states. It needn’t be feared, writes Robin Mills

Along most of the Arabian side of the Gulf, the desert slopes gently to the waters, ending in beach and marshes. On the Iranian side, the Zagros Mountains tower imposingly a short distance inland – barrier, sentinel, inescapable presence. In the same way, Iran, sundered from its Arab neighbours and yet linked to them, looms over both the region’s politics and its oil industry. Prospects for a deal between the P5+1 negotiating group and Iran over Tehran’s nuclear programme remain uncertain. After two previous extensions, the two sides are working towards an outline deal by 31 March, which would then lead to a fully termed agreement by 30 June. This would impose restrictions on Iran’s nuclear