Iran went on a charm offensive in Qatar on Monday, hailing its debut presence at a summit of Gulf leaders as ushering in a new era of regional ties, but its Arab neighbors offered no immediate matching welcome.In contrast to lengthy statements to reporters by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, U.S-allied Gulf Arab leaders were yet to react to Iran's proposals for greater cooperation on economic and security issues at the two-day summit.
Iranian officials deflected questions regarding Gulf input into defusing the crisis over Iran's nuclear ambitions. "This era has changed and the time of threats has ended...Iran has chosen its path and from our point of view the nuclear issue has ended," Ahmadinejad told reporters, referring to the West's plans to impose further sanctions on Iran.
He spoke after the opening ceremony of the Gulf Cooperation Council's annual summit meeting in the Qatari capital Doha. Ahmadinejad, who regularly rails against the United States, said of his trip to Qatar: "It seems a new chapter has been opened in the relations between the Persian Gulf States. Iran's definite policy is to promote broad cooperation with all countries particularly friendly neighboring countries."