Saudi Arabia and Iran rivalry – options for Pakistan

Abstract

Despite common region, religion and ample of resources, Saudi Arabia and Iran are in state of confrontation to competition for the leadership of the Muslim Uma. The country most concerned with the Saudi Arabia and Iran rivalry is Pakistan. Both states have their own importance for Pakistan. Iran being immediate neighbour while Saudi Arabia, a country always supported Pakistan in thick and thin. In past Pakistan had been very careful in dealing with the both. The policy makers in Pakistan remained very careful in order to devise policy towards Middle East because of the certain reasons. The rivalry between Iran and Saudi Arabia has long been portrayed as a sectarian struggle. In reality, there are a few more areas where the two countries are still competing. The relationship between Riyadh and Tehran may be examined through the lens of economic, political, and security dynamics, as a result of the two states struggle for regional hegemony and supremacy, which has driven the region into political and economic upheaval for the past four decades. The crises in Yemen, Syria, Lebanon, and Iraq are notable examples of proxy conflicts in the Middle East waged by the two regional superpowers, with direct or indirect support from other key regional and global forces. The aim of this research paper is to examine the current developments in Pakistan’s bilateral ties with Iran and Saudi Arabia, address the impacts of ideologically driven proxies and look at the current regional situation in order to assess Pakistan’s options in dealing with the two states.

Key Words: Pakistan, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Rivalry, Implications