Daniel Lubetzky

It is something everyone in the corridors of Arab power tends to acknowledge: that the current Iranian regime is a destabilizing apocalyptic messianic cult whose acquisition of nuclear weapons would be an overwhelming threat to the region.  But it is never publicly discussed or shared with the masses. Till now.  The leaks of diplomatic memos between the US and its foreign allies is a stark affirmation of the danger that Arab – and Israeli – leaders perceive from Iran. 

Here is just one summary:

Graphic: Fears of a Nuclear Iran

Middle East leaders speak about their powerful neighbor with a directness seldom, if ever, heard in public.

Fears of a Nuclear Iran

Middle East leaders speak about their powerful neighbor with a directness seldom, if ever, heard in public. Related Article »

Saad Hariri

LEBANON’S PARLIAMENTARY MAJORITY LEADER (NOW PRIME MINISTER)

“‘Iraq was unnecessary,’ claimed Saad. ‘Iran is necessary.’”

— Quoted in an August 2006 cable telling American officials that they “must be willing to go all the way if need be” to stop Iran’s nuclear program if diplomatic efforts fail.

Maj. Gen. Mohammad al-Assar

ASSISTANT TO THE EGYPTIAN MINISTER OF DEFENSE

“Al-Assar stated that Egypt views Iran as a threat to the region.”

— January 2010 cable in which General Assar is quoted expressing concern about Iran’s meddling in the internal affairs of Lebanon, the Palestinians and Iraq.

Lt. Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi

ISRAELI ARMY

“There is still time for diplomacy, but we should not forget that Iran’s centrifuges are working day and night.”

— Warning in a November 2009 cable that because it is unclear whether Iran will face severe sanctions, Israel needs to be ready for “other options.”

King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia

“He told you to cut off the head of the snake.”

— Adel A. al-Jubeir, the Saudi ambassador to the U.S., quoted in an April 2008 cable regarding King Abdullah’s “frequent exhortations to the U.S. to attack Iran and thus put an end to its nuclear weapons program.”

Ali Abdullah Saleh

PRESIDENT OF YEMEN

“Tehran ‘wants to restore the Persian empire.’”

— June 2006 cable in which President Saleh explains why it is in the “interest of all of nations” to work with the United States “to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.”

King Hamad of Bahrain

“‘That program must be stopped,’ he said. ‘The danger of letting it go on is greater than the danger of stopping it.’”

— November 2009 cable in which the king is quoted on the need to halt Iran’s nuclear pursuit.

Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed

U.A.E. DEFENSE CHIEF

“Ahmadinejad is Hitler.”

— July 2009 memo in which Crown Prince bin Zayed is quoted as urging the U.S. not to appease Iran.

Hamad bin Jassim al-Thani

PRIME MINISTER OF QATAR (ALSO REFERRED TO IN THE CABLES AS “HBJ.”)

“HBJ said Iran’s president views the U.S. as a country that is overstretched and in difficulty as a result of too many commitments.”

— June 2006 cable recounting a conversation in which Qatar’s prime minister told Senator John Kerry that tough new sanctions aimed at Iran’s oil revenues, rather than military threats, were the best way to persuade Tehran to abandon its nuclear pursuits.

Send Feedback

• TWITTER