``The tension with Iran is still diplomatic, not military," said Commander Jeff Breslau of the US Navy's Bahrain-based Fifth Fleet.
Gulf nations have been reluctant to provoke Iran, a key trading partner just across the Persian Gulf. In an editorial, the Dubai-based Gulf News -- which closely reflects the Emirates government position -- urged Gulf countries to reject aggressive US overtures that could upset delicate relations with Tehran.
``There is no need to exacerbate things further by introducing into the region such controversial measures as heightened security controls and advanced missile systems," the newspaper said. ``Once a nation adopts a more aggressive stance to its neighbors, the chance of relations escalating out of hand increases."
State Department officials touring the region in recent weeks include John Hillen, assistant secretary for political-military affairs, and Robert Joseph, undersecretary for arms control and international security. Both focused on rallying Arab support for US efforts to halt Iran's nuclear program, while urging closer military and intelligence ties with Washington.
``We are jointly working on significant enhancements to a number of defensive capabilities in the region," Hillen said in an e-mail answer to questions from the Associated Press.
He acknowledged that discussions included sophisticated new defenses against Iranian ballistic missiles, the monitoring of suspicious transactions and the interdiction of shipments of nuclear technology to Iran. But he would provide few details.
In April, Joseph visited Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar, urging them to upgrade defenses against chemical and biological weapons. He also sought help monitoring Iran's financial transactions and closing what he called Iranian ``front companies" seeking nuclear technology.
Hillen said the cooperation that Washington seeks would go beyond existing Patriot missile defense batteries in Qatar, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia and the US Navy patrols aimed at tracking rogue nuclear shipments.
