New opportunities, new risks

IT IS dangerous to make assumptions or, even more, predictions when it comes to politics. This, arguably, is particularly so when it comes Middle Eastern politics. Nevertheless it seems to be the case that Iran is gradually resuming its role as a significant player in the world economy.

The recent lifting of many international sanctions and the massive Airbus deal all point to a move towards a more normal relationship with the rest of the world. Moreover, as this column was being written, news services were reporting large gains by the the "reformers" in the elections for Iran's Assembly of Experts.

Denis Petropoulos, president of Braemar Shipping Services Asia, referred to the opening up of the Iranian market when speaking at the first Suez Canal Global Conference in Cairo recently.