From Rivalry to Nowhere: A Story of Iran-Saudi Ties

Abstract

Almost eighty audacious years of diplomatic ties between Iran and Saudi Arabia witnessed many ups and downs. During these years Iran had faced Islamic (Shia) Revolution (1979) which ended the Pahlavi Dynasty and the established Islamic Democracy under the umbrella of clergy class. On the other side, Saudi Arabia (an Orthodox Sunni state) was ruled by different kings of the Al Saud royal family. Including other factors, differences of Shia-Sunni schools of thought badly affected their mutual ties. Their strain relations had also affected the integrity of the region in one way or the other. In 1980s Saudi-Iran soured liaison had been given a chance to their immediate neighbor Iraq to set the region into war on American indication to get the control of this oil-rich area. Later on Gulf war provided a golden opportunity to US authorities for their permanent presence in the region. American presence in the area enhanced Iran-Saudi Arabia differences. At the present, the effect of their bad relations seems worst than before. Both countries at their utmost boast to the sectarianism in the region to increase their influential area. This approach has also divided the Middle Eastern region into two groups mainly based on different sects of religion Islam.