Kuwait Times, August 12, 2008 – The rhetoric between Iran, Gulf States and the international community has heated-up, as August temperatures swell. This is pushing Kuwait and its GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) counterparts to set in place emergency plans to counteract the effects of a possible regional conflict. Kuwait political analyst Hajaj Bu Khathor stated, “The issue with Iran is not about uranium enrichment, it wants to control the region.” He noted that Iran is pushing the nuclear issue as a tool in the process toward attaining their greater objective. Bu Khathor explained the issue is not only the responsibility of the GCC but of the international community which would suffer severe global economic downturns if Iran blocks the Strait of Hormuz.

Bu Khathor says that the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz will be a reality which we should deal prior to its occurrence, according to a proactive well-planned out strategy. However, he noted that the government has under-publicized preparations for such a crisis. “The reason for this is that they do not want people to panic.

In the event of Iran imposing a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, Kuwait will have to be prepared in the following, mostly logistical, ways explained Bu Khathor. “Firstly, the procurement and distribution of medical supplies.” For example, he noted, “If there is a nuclear leak from one of Iran’s nuclear reactors we need to have stockpiled iodine.

Khathor commented, “The closure of the strait of Hormuz is something that is going to happen and will happen many times… it might happen very soon with this issue but either way, it will repeat again in the future.” Regardless of whether one considers Iran a friend or foe, Khathor clarified, “We have to address their point of view and concerns, as well as our concerns and interests, and by doing that we can focus on our commonalities and interests.