Sputnik Italia spoke with Pejman Abdolmohammadi, an expert on Iran and a researcher at the London School of Economics and Political Science, about how these recent attacks will have grave consequences on the internal politics of Iran and the region as a whole.
“This attack occurred during a very difficult moment, when the balance of power in the Middle East is being put to the test. I believe that the terror attacks in Iran will have serious consequences for the balance of power in the Persian Gulf, as there is a risk of escalation of tensions between Iran and Saudi Arabia,” Abdolmohammadi said.
He further said that in terms of Iran’s domestic policy it is possible to see a strengthening of conservative forces and a “slight reduction in the influence of pragmatism of President Ruhani.”
“It seems to me that the new strategy of the Trump administration will hit the countries of the Persian Gulf hard and change the balance of power in the Middle East,” Abdolmohammadi said.
“The next player in this shake-up will be Saudi Arabia itself. I do not believe that the alliance between Trump and Saudi Arabia will last a long time, it is rather a short-term strategic alliance,” the analyst said.
He added that Russia currently has an opportunity to strengthen its influence in Qatar and Iran.
The analyst said that without a doubt, Russia's influence in Iran is already quite strong, but now Russia can strengthen its position even further.
“Russia should take into account the interests of China though, which, most likely, will want to take advantage of the political chaos in the region,” he said.
As for the situation in Iran following the terror attacks, Abdolmohammadi said that Iranians are waiting for the government's response.
“These terrorist attacks brought the crisis of Persian nationalism to the forefront; therefore the reaction on part of the Republic is expected. It is no longer talks about issues between Shiites and Sunnis; the conflict has moved to another level, it is between Arabs and Persians now,” Abdolmohammadi said
It is also quite possible that Iran will react to these attacks in economic terms by going against some countries of the Persian Gulf, in particular against Saudi Arabia.
On Wednesday, coordinated terror attacks were staged in the Iranian Parliament, as well as the mausoleum of Imam Khomeini in Tehran. According to media reports, at least 17 people were killed and around 50 others injured in the assaults. Daesh reportedly claimed responsibility for both terror acts.
