Deal to reshape Middle East power balance

For some Gulf Arab states,which see Tehran as a regional troublemaker,and for Israel,which regards Iran as a mortal threat,the Geneva agreement means they have failed to dissuade Washington from a course they suspect will end in tears.

Iran will grow richer and stronger through the easing and eventual lifting of sanctions that have shackled its economy,emboldening its Islamist rulers to step up support to Shi’ite Muslim allies in Arab countries,critics of the deal say. In contrast,supporters of the accord say a rapprochement between two powers so long at odds could help stabilise a region in turmoil and reduce sectarian strains that have set Shi’ite and Sunni Muslims bloodily against each other.

With the historic Arab power centres of Egypt,Syria and Iraq all weakened by uprisings and sectarian strife,a new start with Tehran has emerged as an enticing potential win for the US administration. Experts say Gulf Arab countries will try to piece together a strategy with like-minded countries to reduce their vulnerability to a resurgent Iran.