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Article: Coloured by paranoia. (Iran's support for militant Islamic fundamentalists)
- Article from:
- The Middle East
- Article date:
- February 1, 1993
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 1993 IC Publications Ltd. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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WE HAVE NO enemies," said Iran's minister of defence, Akhbar Toukan, in a recent interview. As a result, the country can get by with one of the smallest military procurement budgets in the Gulf of around $1bn a year, he claimed. Exactly how much Iran spends on defence is a matter of some debate the United States puts it closer to $2bn. But moderate elements in the regime are anxious to stress Iran's peaceful intentions.
American military action against Iraq has heightened fears in Tehran among the more cautious officials that if Iran is seen to be promoting fundamentalist dissent in the Arab world and seeking to dominate the Gulf, it too will bring down upon itself ...