FOREIGN MINISTER ON IRAN: WE'RE WORRIED AND NEED

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 MANAMA 000180

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/07/2016
TAGS: PREL KNNP MARR PARM BA IR REGION OFFICIALS BILAT
SUBJECT: FOREIGN MINISTER ON IRAN: WE'RE WORRIED AND NEED
YOUR COVER

REF: A. STATE 19516

B. STATE 16171

C. STATE 12900

D. MANAMA 0091

Classified by Ambassador William T. Monroe for reasons 1.4
(b) and (d).

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Summary
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1. (C) Foreign Minister Shaikh Khalid told the Ambassador
February 7 that Bahrain supported the IAEA referral of Iran
to the UN and suggested involving India more directly in the
issue to apply greater pressure to Iran. Shaikh Khalid, who
had visited Tehran January 28-29, stated that Foreign
Minister Mottaki had developed a new construction to state
Iran's position on nuclear weapons. Whereas four months
earlier, Mottaki had called the weapons "haram," or
religiously forbidden, he now said they are "against our
Islamic beliefs," a weakened phrase that Shaikh Khalid
considers to be significant. He said he tried to push
Mottaki back to his former position during their joint press
conference by "agreeing" that nuclear weapons are "haram."
He said President Ahmadi-Nejad spoke of Iran's glory and
heritage and blatantly pandered to Shaikh Khalid to get King
Hamad and Crown Prince Salman to visit Tehran. Shaikh Khalid
said that Bahrain is nervous about the prospect of Iran
developing nuclear weapons. He requested U.S. and NATO
"cover" and support. End Summary.

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India to Help Apply Pressure to Iran
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2. (C) In a February 7 meeting covering several subjects
(septels),the Ambassador delivered Ref A and B demarches
concerning IAEA reporting Iran to the UN Security Council to
Foreign Minister Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa. Shaikh
Khalid, who had visited Iran January 28-29, said he supported
the move and wondered where these actions were heading. He
said the Iranians had demonstrated no fear of the UNSC
referral or sanctions. He suggested involving India more
directly in the issue, as that country, along with China and
Russia, could help apply pressure and leave less room for
Iran to "play around."

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Nukes "Against Islamic Beliefs"
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3. (C) Shaikh Khalid said he met with President
Ahmadi-Nejad, Vice President Daoodi, Foreign Minister
Mottaki, and former President Rafsanjani during his trip to
Tehran. His first meeting was with Mottaki, who initially
discussed bilateral issues such as trade and the joint
Bahraini-Iranian Mostaqbal Bank. Mottaki then opened the
"real issue," Iran's nuclear program. Mottaki emphasized it
is a peaceful program for nuclear power, in accordance with
international norms. Iran does not intend to produce nuclear
weapons, which are "against our Islamic beliefs," he said.


4. (C) Shaikh Khalid told the Ambassador that the phrase
"against Islamic beliefs" is a new formulation. Four months
ago, when Mottaki visited Bahrain, he had said that nuclear
weapons were "haram," meaning religiously forbidden.
"Against Islamic beliefs" is a weaker phrase than "haram," to
which Shaikh Khalid assigns meaning. Iranians are careful
with their language, he said, and this change must be
intentional. Shaikh Khalid said that he stressed with
Mottaki that Bahrain is nervous about living next to a
nuclear power plant. Mottaki replied that Iranian safety
regulations are very strong.


5. (C) During his joint press conference with Mottaki,
Shaikh Khalid said he stated publicly that Bahrain agrees
with Iran that nuclear weapons are "haram," an attempt to
push Iran back to its former position. In press the
conference, Shaikh Khalid added: "I fully agree with you that
the Middle East should be free of nuclear weapons."


6. (C) Shaikh Khalid told the Ambassador that Iran is
overconfident, is not worried about the UNSC, and does not
fear sanctions, claiming that in the past sanctions had made
the country stronger. He described Mottaki as feisty.

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Pleading for a Royal Visit
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7. (C) Shaikh Khalid said that, in reference to the nuclear
program, Ahmadi-Nejad spoke about Iran's heritage and glory.
He urged that Bahrain and Iran come together as neighbors and
"clear the region of foreigners." He spoke in a flattering
way about King Hamad and CP Salman and reiterated his
invitation for them to visit Tehran. Shaikh Khalid commented
that Ahmadi-Nejad "talks like he's in a coffee house," in a
very casual manner.


8. (C) Shaikh Khalid said that Rafsanjani is more subtle.
Referring to the nuclear program, Rafsanjani said Bahrain
could "bet on" Iran as a power to depend on. Shaikh Khalid
said that he replied ("humbly") that many countries and many
powers hate Iran. Iran has enemies, and "you must accept
that they are stronger than you." Rafsanjani did not
respond, but two aides/former ministers, who attended the
meeting, nodded in agreement.


9. (C) The meeting with VP Daoodi covered much of the same
ground.

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Bahrain Needs U.S. Cover
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10. (C) Shaikh Khalid said that Bahrain is nervous. Iran is
serious about getting nuclear weapons and, if they do,
Bahrain will "be squeezed" between two nuclear giants - Iran
and Israel. Bahrain is trying to develop and reform
socially, politically, and economically. "We need U.S.
cover" if Iran produces nuclear weapons, Shaikh Khalid
stated. As an ally and a friend, Bahrain needs U.S. and NATO
support. He said that CP Salman delivered the same message
to British Foreign Secretary Straw during his recent visit to
London.

MONROE