Confrontation of Identity Approaches and Iranian and Saudi Patterns in Yemen

This article draws upon the constructivist approach to address the challenge in Iran-Saudi relations as two rival nations that claim leadership of the Muslim World. The wave of the Arab Spring and its extension to Yemen has resulted in competition between two Shia and zWahhabi models in the foreign policies of Iran and Saudi Arabia. This research examines systematically the identity constructs and identity manifestations in Iranian and Saudi foreign policy conducts drawing upon a descriptive-analytical method. The author intends to answer the question what the place of Yemen is in the foreign policies of Iran and Saudi Arabia. The hypothesis of the article argues that Yemen’s place in the relations between the two states can be understood within the framework of identity perspective (religious identity) of Iran and Saudi Arabia and their interests. Iran’s perception of Yemeni developments within the framework of Islamic Awakening and its inspiration from the Iranian Islamic Revolution and Saudi outlook at the Yemeni
developments within the framework of an Arab question have given rise to the exacerbation of the conflict in their bilateral relationships. In fact, given the identity parameters influencing their behavioral patterns, Iran and Saudi Arabia have failed to reach a shared identity and subsequently common interests toward the Yemeni crisis.