Azerbaijan, Baku, 17 January / corr Trend D.Khatinoglu / The cessation of the economic relations by the United Bank of Yehli (UBY) of Bahrain with Iran, strengthens the possibility of other ' Persian Gulf countries' joining the anti-Iran sanctions. "The danger of the ' Persian Gulf countries' joining the anti-Iran economic sanctions, is real," Iranian economic experts stated.
The UBY ceased its economic relations with Iran, Routers reported on 16 January. The Ganecy regarded this decision as a result of the US President George Bush's visit to Bahrain on 8 January, as well as the Washington's pressure.
Jemshid Pejuan, an economic expert of the Iranian Parliament, said in a telephonic interview for Trend from Tehran that the United States is a big economic figure and has put the world's economy on its dependence. "The Arab Emirates were dependant on the oil revenues for a while, whereas now Iran is dependant upon them. These countries are expected to support the United States, in the conflict existing between the United States and Iran," Pejuan said.
At present, 450,000 Iranians reside in the United Arab Emirates and the capital put by Iranians only in Dubai comprise approximately $300bln, Deutsche Welle reported. Some 20% of Iran's import is realized in the Arab Emirates.
Bijan Bidabad, another Iranian expert, does not rule out the fact that 'the United Arab Emirates' may join the anti-Iran economic sanctions, under the US pressures. " Iran carries out the major part of its economic relations through the mediation of the United Arab Emirates. The UAE are obliged to support the United States and the cessation of economic relations with Iran are obvious when the United States has made the last warning," Bidabad, said in a telephone interview for Trend from Tehran.
Professor Trita Parsi, an expert of the Yale University especially on the problems between the United States and Middle East, said that Arab countries indecisively approach the relation with the United States and Iran. "As the Arab countries cannot forecast the end of these relations, they are declined to keep the neutrality. The possibility of boycotting the Iran by the Persian Gulf countries, does not meet the reality," Parsi said in a telephone interview for Trend from Washington.