Nuclear deal with Iran may spur proxy wars, says EU official

A nuclear deal with Iran may spur proxy wars in the Middle East as Sunni Muslims try to counter an increasingly wealthy and powerful Shi’ite Iran, the European Union’s counter-terrorism coordinator said on Monday.

 

Gilles de Kerchove told the European Parliament one important cause of terrorism was “this war by proxy from the Sunni world which feels a bit on the defensive because of the rise of Iran”.

 

Asked if a deal to curb Iran’s nuclear ambitions being negotiated in Switzerland would have an impact, he said: “Yes, of course, because Iran will have even more money.

 

“It is a sophisticated country, with a vision, more and more powerful in the Middle East, and therefore on the Sunni side there might be a temptation for some to support extremist groups to fight against Iran by proxy,” he said.

 

Major powers are trying to reach a preliminary agreement with Iran aimed at stopping it from achieving the ability to develop a nuclear bomb, in exchange for an easing of sanctions that are crippling its economy.

 

Read More: Nuclear deal with Iran may spur proxy wars, says EU official | Reuters.