Iran-Saudi Arabia competition in political, economic and religious spheres: its consequences from the Persian Gulf to the Red Sea

Islamic Republic of Iran and Saudi Arabia are two important and decisive countries in the Middle East and the Persian Gulf, and various reasons have led to continued tensions in relations between the two countries. At present, for various reasons, the relations between the two countries are moving towards divergence, and a vague future for the relations between the two countries is conceivable.The subject of the present study is the analysis of tensions and competition between Iran and Saudi Arabia in the Persian Gulf region. In other words, the aim of the present study is to investigate the main cause of tension in the relations between the Islamic Republic of Iran and Saudi Arabia in the Persian Gulf and evaluate it based on the structure of international relations. The research method of this research has been done in terms of descriptive-survey and exploratory data analysis. The research findings show that due to the regional development in the Persian Gulf including the crisis in Syria, Iraq, Yemen, and the nuclear deal between Iran and European countries, Iran’s power and influence has been increased and this condition has been considered as a threat by Saudi resulting in an increasing tension and conflicts between the two countries which might develop and continue. Differences in relations between the two countries, which could increase competition. Given the above and Iran's influential power in the region, Saudi Arabia has provided the necessary ground for USA and Israeil influence in the region and has established close ties with Israel. Therefore, the approach of clear political relations in the future of the two countries is vague and tense.