History Of Conflict
Iran and Saudi Arabia have a long history of tension, conflict, and mistrust. Conflict between them dates back to the mid-20th century, when the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was founded in 1932. Its predecessor, the Kingdom of Hejaz, had traditionally maintained close ties with Iran. The British-backed monarch of the Hejaz, King Faisal, ultimately switched sides and sought closer relations with Saudi Arabia. This led to the Saudi-Iranian rivalry, a conflict that persists to this day.
In more recent years, the two countries have engaged in proxy wars, particularly in the Middle East, often supporting opposite sides in conflicts such as Yemen and Syria, and have also publicly criticized each other’s foreign policies. Tensions between them drastically increased in 2016, when the execution of a prominent Shia cleric in Saudi Arabia led to protests in Iran, and the Saudi embassy in Tehran was attacked.
The Significance Of The Relationship
The relationship between Saudi Arabia and Iran is of huge significance in global politics for many reasons. As two of the major exporters of oil, their economic tensions could cause turmoil in the international energy markets. Additionally, they are the dominant players in a region in which some of the world’s biggest powers engage in proxy wars. As a result, their relationship has the potential to affect peace in the Middle East.
The two nations are also the foremost examples of two different forms of Islamism. Iran is an Islamic Republic, while Saudi Arabia is an absolute monarchy, albeit with some push for reform in recent years. This contrast in forms of government underscore the importance of their relationship .
Recent Developments
In 2018, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman began to hint at a potential for rapprochement between the two nations. There were a series of meetings between representatives from both countries, culminating in the signing of a statement of understanding between them. The statement declared that the countries would work together to reduce sectarian tensions in the Middle East. However, it also stopped short of announcing a full peace treaty.
The View From Experts
Experts on the region have both praised and criticized these developments. Many have argued that the rapprochement is an important step towards peace in the Middle East, and could also have a positive effect on the global economy. However, they have also warned that much needs to be done to improve the relationship between the two countries, as they remain deeply suspicious of each other’s motives and intentions.
Political Analysis
Despite the optimism surrounding these recent developments, the political reality is that Iran and Saudi Arabia remain locked in an ongoing struggle to gain influence in the region. Although there are signs of a thawing of relations between them, and further talks are planned, it is unlikely that they will be able to establish a lasting peace and close the divide between them.
Economic Considerations
The economic implications of a potential peace treaty between Iran and Saudi Arabia could be potentially huge. With two of the biggest exporters of oil reconciling, it could lead to an easing of economic tensions in the region, and could potentially bring down the price of oil. This could lead to economic benefits for both countries, as well as for the entire region.
Potential Outcomes
It is difficult to predict the potential outcomes of these recent developments. While they could eventually lead to a peace treaty, it is just as likely that the current talks will lead to a deadlock between the two countries, or that any potentially agreement won’t last long. At the same time, there is the potential for a lasting peace between the two countries, which could have significant economic and political benefits for the entire region.
Cultural Differences
The cultural divide between Iran and Saudi Arabia remains a significant barrier to peace. In addition to their religious and political differences, the two countries have vastly different norms and cultures. As a result, it is likely that many obstacles will have to be overcome if the two countries are to come to an agreement and establish a lasting peace.
Strategic Issues
The strategic implications of a potential peace between Iran and Saudi Arabia are complex. The two countries have been engaged in proxy wars in the region for many years, and many of these wars could become unnecessary if the two sides come to an agreement. Additionally, a peace treaty could lead to the two countries collaborating on strategic issues such as energy production or military operations.
International Support
The international community, particularly the United States, have been encouraging a rapprochement between Iran and Saudi Arabia for many years. The United Nations, European Union, and other key global powers have been pushing for a more cordial relationship between the two countries, and have welcomed the recent developments as an encouraging sign. As such, it is likely that the international community will continue to pressure both sides to come to an agreement.
