Saudi prince: Arab divisions helped Iran's regional rise

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
Saudi Arabia's former ambassador to Washington says Iran is a paper tiger with claws of steel, citing differences among Arabs as the main reason for its increased regional role. Prince Turki al-Faisal's remarks came at a closed-door meeting Saturday at the University of Jordan. They were reported by an Arab diplomat, a former Jordanian official and Al-Watan newspaper. The two men spoke on condition of anonymity because of issue's sensitivity. Turki said Iran's political regime was frail but had strong tools that enable it to achieve its "expansionist aspirations at the expense of Arab interests." The prince said Saudi could play a vital role in Iraq.