Spektrum Iran

The Reasons of the Aggression in Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Policy Toward Islamic Republic of Iran (2001-2017)

Document Type : Original Research Paper

Authors

Mehdi Zakerian
Alireza Molla-qadimi

Science and Research branch of Islamic Azad University

https://doi.org/10.22034/spektrum.2019.223885
Abstract
Saudi Arabia’s foreign policy toward Iran has turned from a pattern of conservative and interactive behavior before Iran’s Islamic Revolution to a competitive and contradictory approach after the revolution. This policy, with the advent of international and regional events and changes, has taken a substantial departure from a prudent pragmatism to unprecedented aggression. The present paper systematically examines the reasons for Saudi Arabia’s foreign policy attitudes, priorities, and behaviors, specifically from 2001 to 2017. This study indicates how the above-mentioned events and changes have affected the Saudi Arabian elites and political leaders’ views on the position of Iran in the regional equilibrium. It seems that the authorities of Saudi Arabia consider the balance to be changed in favor of Iran. Therefore, their foreign policy has led to a more aggressive approach, with the aim of weakening Iran's role and influence. Accordingly, this study tries to examine the factors that have led to this alteration. The paper suggests that identity disagreements, security threats, and ideological rivalries are among the fundamental reasons for this aggressive policy.

Keywords

Iran
Saudi Arabia
aggressive foreign policy
prudent pragmatism
regional equilibrium

Subjects

Spektrum Iran
Volume 32, Issue 1
March 2019
Pages 59-94

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