Iranian political circles were abuzz with rumours yesterday that a state of emergency may be declared in the country to protect it from "American threats." Reformers fear this would result in their persecution. Khorassan daily cited prominent reformist Karim Argandepour: "The possibility of a state of emergency being declared exists, and this would be a form of coup d'etat against the reformist camp." He added that some extremists in the conservative camp are trying to create such a situation. Argandepour is Editor-in-Chief of the suspended daily Norouz, the mouthpiece of the Islamic Iran Participation Front (IIPF), the main pro-reform party headed by President Khatami's brother, which has a majority in the Majlis.

The issue has also raised anxiety among members of the traditional reformist Association of Combatant Clerics (ACC). "Some want to declare a state of emergency to avoid a crisis. We have heard that some (Conservatives) in a letter to regime leaders have asked for measures against reformist political figures, notably members of IIPF," said Rasul Montajeb-Nia, a journalist and member of the ACC central committee.

During a meeting with visiting Bahraini King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa, Iran's Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei declared: "The Islamic Republic of Iran is opposed to any attack on Iraq and the Islamic world should adopt a proper stance to this effect." Ayatollah Khamenei described recently mounting aggressive US pressures against Iraq as "blatant bullying", and warned: "Given the special and sensitive position of the Persian Gulf in view of its massive energy reserves, any incident in the region will result in a disadvantage for the instigator of the event."

The Leader stressed the need for solidarity among Islamic countries in view of their existing problems, especially those of the Palestinian people: "Global powers today have stood up against the Islamic world and the American president has explicitly announced a Crusade War. Under these conditions, the Islamic countries must stand together closer than in the past and expand their cooperation." He added that any power wanting to take action against the Islamic world today would face towering problems,

Khamenei cited enemy intrigues to scuttle relations between Iran and the littoral states of the Persian Gulf since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, saying that the only way to confront these efforts is by more dialogue and closer contacts. He called on Iran and Bahrain to bolster their ties further. King Hamad echoed Ayatollah Khamenei's warning about looming threats against the Islamic world, saying that closer ties between littoral states of the Persian Gulf will neutralize them. "Bahrain calls for boosting cooperation with the Islamic Republic in all spheres," he said.

Iran and Bahrain urged the international community to strive for a fair and durable peace in the Middle East ending the Zionist regime's occupation and aggression. In the joint communiqué issued at the end of the Bahrain King's official visit to Tehran, the parties said that a fair peace in the region would be possible after the Zionists withdraw from all the occupied Arab lands.

President Khatami and Sheikh Hamad voiced concern about the production and stockpiling of weapons of mass destruction by Israel and said it poses a threat to the entire region. They urged all parties to remain committed to the non-proliferation treaty.

Iran and Bahrain condemn terrorism in any form and in any place, stressing the need to distinguish between legitimate national resistance to occupation and terrorist operations.

Khatami and Hamad voiced opposition to any act that would jeopardize regional stability and security, underlining the need to protect Iraq's national sovereignty and territorial integrity and avoid foreign intervention in its internal affairs. Senior Iranian and Bahraini officials also voiced their strong opposition to any kind of unilateral military action against Iraq.

Both sides voiced support for the transitional government of Afghanistan, stressing the importance of stability and security in that country, its economic and social reconstruction and cooperation between all regional and international parties in this connection.

In the communiquè, the King of Bahrain hailed Iran's "positive and constructive" role in the restoration of security and stability in the region, praising. President Khatami's policies of confidence building and forging closer relations between Iran and regional states and especially the positive and constructive developments in relations between Iran and the UAE.

The King of Bahrain again extended an invitation to President Khatami to visit Manama. The Iranian President welcomed it and hoped to visit Bahrain in the near future. The King arrived in Tehran on Saturday, heading a high-ranking delegation on a two-day official visit. President Khatami saw him off at the Tehran Airport.