Iran-Saudi Tensions and Implications for

Region

Posted byGHIAS HASHMI

CategoriesCURRENT AFFAIRS, IMPORTANT FOR GENERAL KNOWLEDGE, INTERNATIONAL
RELATIONS, ISLAM, PAKISTAN AFFAIRS, REGIONAL ISSUES, SOMETHING NEW, WORLD NEWS
DateAUGUST 10, 2016

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Iran-Saudi Tensions are more of

Hegemonic and less of Sectarian
basis
Tensions between Saudi Arabia, the main Sunni power, and Shiite-dominated Iran have
erupted into a full-blown diplomatic crisis, sparking widespread worries of regional
instability. Traditionally, Saudi Arabia and Iran are long-standing rivals for pre-dominance in
West Asia and the regions heavy-weights; they see themselves as the leaders of the Sunni
and Shia world, respectively.
As a result of the tension, ties of a number of countries adversely affected. While Bahrain
has cut off diplomatic ties with Iran, the United Arab Emirates has downgraded relations

with Tehran. Sudan expelled the Iranian ambassador and the entire Iranian diplomatic
mission in the country and also recalled its ambassador from Iran. Kuwait also recalled its
ambassador to Tehran in the face of growing international concern. These developments
have formalized the Sunni-Shiite polarisation that has fuelled the chaotic proxy wars and
manoeuvring across West Asia.

Why the tension is mounting?

1.

The tension mounted when a Saudi state executioner beheaded the prominent Shiite
dissident Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr. This caused protest in Shia-dominated Iran. The unruly crowd
attacked Saudi embassy in Tehran, an action that wasnt apparently encouraged by the
government. The Security Council condemned in the strongest terms the attacks which
saw protesters firebomb the Saudi embassy in Tehran and its consulate in Irans secondbiggest city Mashhad.

2.

The Saudi government snapped diplomatic relations with Tehran and expelled its
envoys from the country. The Saudis also suspended all flights to and from Iran. As the
diplomatic tit-for-tat and war of words escalates between the two, others in the region and
beyond are rallying behind one side or the other in a show of solidarity.

3.

The Saudi monarchy is a divided house and King Salman, and his inexperienced son,
Deputy Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman, are adopting an aggressive posture towards
the kingdoms Shia minority to shore up mass support. The nuclear deal with the West has
put Irans government on the defensive vis--vis the conservatives and the tough posture in
the current spat with the Saudis could help blunt the opposition.

4.

Within Iran, there was also intense anger over the Saudis handling of the annual
pilgrimage to Mecca. Before the summer, Iran temporarily halted pilgrimages to the holy city
after accusations that Saudi security officials had sexually abused two Iranian teenage boys.
Possible implications:

1.

This means that the situation in Syria, Yemen, Iraq and Afghanistan can be expected
to worsen in the near future. The west has called for calm amid fears the dispute could raise
sectarian tensions across West Asia and derail efforts to resolve conflicts from Syria to
Yemen

2.

Importantly, the spat will undermine the international effort to defeat the Islamic
State. It could negatively impact the situation in Syria, where the regime of President Bashar
al-Assad is hugely supported by Iran, while almost all of the rebel factions were supported by
Saudi Arabia and other Gulf States.

3.

The growing tensions could disrupt the flow of oil; it would trigger a spurt in oil prices.
Saudi Arabia is the biggest producer in the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting
Countries, while Iran is also a key member, and there are concerns that their diplomatic spat
could lead to a disruption in oil supplies.

4.

China is heavily dependent on Saudi Arabia and Iran for oil. China cant afford a fullscale conflagration in a region, which is the source of the bulk (51.2 percent) of its energy
imports. It is to be noted China has maintained military cooperation with both (Shia) Iran and
(Sunni) Pakistan. China was instrumental to the development of conventional military as well
as nuclear capabilities of both Muslim nations.