An Analysis of Containment and Competition between Iran and Saudi Arabia Implication on Regional Security.

Abstract

Iran and Saudi Arabia are engaged in a Struggle for dominance in the Middle East. The power struggle has its roots in Saudi- Iranian competition. Saudi Arabia and Iran have been competing with each other in political, economic, and military realms. Saudi Arabia considers Iran as a threat to Saudi interests in the region, so Saudi Arabia contains Iranian influence in the region with the assistance of regional and trans-regional allies. Hence; the regional politics of the Middle East is characterized by the Saudi-Iranian rivalry where extra regional powers exert their influence by taking advantage of the situation. Politically both aspire to influence the Middle East and to lead the Muslim world. To achieve this Saudi Arabia and Iran are improving their status in the Middle East by providing economic assistance to weak states. In economic realm, Iranian- Saudi competition is over oil prices, Iran is in favor of high oil prices but Saudi Arabia supports low oil prices to harm Iran’s economy and now competition is moving towards the petrochemical industry. Militarily, Saudi Arabia and Iran have been increasing military strength and Iranian nuclear program posed a threat to Saudi Arabia, which is compelling Saudi Arabia to contain Iran. Consequently, Saudi- Iranian competition has worsened the Middle East security structure; Iranian- Saudi involvement in the Middle East is increasing sectarian conflicts and militias.