Abstract

Objective: The history of competition and conflict between Iran and Saudi Arabia in the past 45 years indicates deep ideological, political, economic and cultural differences. Events such as the civil war in Syria and Yemen, asymmetric positions towards the Shiites of Iraq, Bahrain, or the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council show the abysmal discords between the two countries. However, in early 2023, Iran and Saudi Arabia reached a memorandum of understanding with the Chinese broker to resume diplomatic relations based on mutual respect for sovereignty and non-interference in domestic affairs. Therefore, the feasibility of synergy between the two countries is the objective of this article, considering the history of their long-standing and deep-rooted differences.
Method: This research has been prepared in a descriptive-analytical way using documentary-library sources. The theoretical framework of the article is based on critical geopolitical theory.
Results: The findings of the article indicate that the discords between these two countries are deeper and more rooted that the agreement to resume diplomatic relations can provide a basis for synergy or joint efforts between the two countries to solve regional issues and prevent tension in the event of new domestic or regional crises.
Conclusion: The fundamentals of foreign policy of Iran and Saudi Arabia are completely divergent and in the event of new crises, it can be expected that the fire of disputes and competition between the two countries will rekindle and new tensions will emerge.