How much enmity do Iran and Saudi Arabia really have?
Iran and Saudi Arabia, two key Islamic countries in the Middle East, have had years of strained relations stemming from historical and religious differences and influenced by international politics and regional disputes.
This article will provide an in-depth analysis of the historical, cultural, religious, and political relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia in order to better understand the tensions between them.
Historical background
The history of Iran and Saudi Arabia began with the ancient Persian Kingdom and the ancient Arab Kingdom, which were established in the early seventh century AD, Iran is the homeland of the Persians, and Saudi Arabia is the homeland of the Arabs.
During this period, Islam developed rapidly, Muhammad became the leader of the Arabian Peninsula, and subsequently, Islam spread to Iran and was accepted by many.
However, relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia changed in the early 20th century, with the establishment of the modern Kingdom in 1925 and the Islamic Republic of Iran following the Islamic Revolution of 1979.
These changes have brought many different political, economic and cultural differences, resulting in increased tensions between the two countries.
Religious differences
One of the main differences between Iran and Saudi Arabia is religious belief.
Iran is the center of Shiite Islam and Saudi Arabia is the center of Sunni Islam, and the differences between the two sects date back to the early history of Islam, when the question of Muhammad's successor was controversial.
In Iran, Shia is the country's main religion, and the political and social system is controlled by Shia clerics, however, in Saudi Arabia, Sunnis are the country's official religion and political power is in the hands of the king.
These religious differences have caused political and regional tensions between the two countries, for example, Iran supported Bashar al-Assad's regime during the Syrian civil war, while Saudi Arabia supported the Syrian opposition.
There have also been conflicts between the two countries over religious differences in favor of different factions in the civil wars in Bahrain and Yemen.
Regional disputes
In addition to religious differences, relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia have been affected by regional disputes, such as the claim to territorial sovereignty in the Persian Gulf region.
Iran considers the Persian Gulf its territory, while Saudi Arabia considers Bahrain, Qatar and Kuwait its protectorates.
In addition, Iranian and Saudi intervention in places such as Syria, Iraq and Yemen has become a dispute between the two countries.
Iran supports the Shiite regime and militant groups, while Saudi Arabia supports the Sunni regime and militant groups, and these disputes have led to confrontation and conflict between the two countries over regional issues.
International politics
International politics has also been a factor in tensions between Iran and Saudi Arabia.
Iran has long been considered an "outlier" country, whose nuclear program and support for terrorism have made Iran controversial in the international community, and Saudi Arabia, a country with close ties to the United States, is considered one of America's allies in the Middle East.
The positions of Iran and Saudi Arabia in the Middle East are also a factor in the tension between the two countries.
Iran's position in the Middle East has gradually increased, becoming an important regional power, in contrast, Saudi Arabia's status in the Middle East has gradually declined, and it is challenged by Iran.
Improvement in relations between the two countries
Relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia have been strained, but there are also some signs that relations between the two countries are expected to improve, and in 2019, diplomats from the two countries held two secret meetings, which were seen as a signal of improved relations between the two countries.
In addition, in January 2021, Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif said in an interview that the dialogue between Iran and Saudi Arabia had begun, which was a "positive sign."
While these signs are not enough to signal an immediate improvement in relations, they suggest that both sides may try to de-escalate tensions.
In addition to the factors mentioned above, there are other factors that also play a role in the hatred between Iran and Saudi Arabia.
Demographic disparities
The religious differences between the Iranian and Saudi populations partly reflect the historical and cultural differences between the two countries, Saudi Arabia is a Sunni country with the majority of the population, while Iran is a Shia country with the majority of the population, and this demographic difference has also led to political and religious differences between the two countries.
epilogue
The hatred between Iran and Saudi Arabia stems from a variety of factors, including historical, cultural, religious, political, regional and international politics.
Although tensions between the two countries have been going on for a long time, there are some signs that there may be an attempt to ease tensions between the two countries.
For the sake of peace and stability in the Middle East, there are differences in regional and international politics, which have led to disputes and conflicts between the two countries.
While relations between the two countries remain tense at present, they are expected to improve as signs emerge. This is of great significance for stability and peace in the Middle East.
Bibliography:
1、Ayoob, M. (2019). The Saudi-Iranian rivalry: The gathering storm. Polity.
2、Kamrava, M. (2016). Iran's relations with Saudi Arabia: between the devil and the deep blue sea. Routledge.
3、Peterson, J. E. (2018). Sectarian politics in the Gulf: From the Iraq War to the Arab uprisings. Columbia University Press.
