In light of growing tensions between Moscow and Washington, the Iranian crisis seems now entered a new phase, in which Russia could play a decisive role. The success of the summit of the countries of the Caspian Sea (Russia, Iran, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Turkmenistan) and the historic visit of Putin to Tehran have been a severe blow to the Bush administration. The latter, with the adoption of new unilateral sanctions against Tehran, it seems also determined to confirm the line of firmness against the Islamic Republic. While the possibility of a military attack on Iran continues to lie very closely on the Middle East scene, a growing distrust barrier now seems to stand between the regime in Tehran and many Arab countries, as evidenced by

the announcement of the Gulf states want to also develop its own nuclear program. Commenting on the latest developments in the Iranian political scene and international analysts of the Arab press question on whether Iran will become the hot face of a new Cold War.