Iran-Saudi Relationship in the First Decade after the Islamic Revolution

Iran and Saudi Arabia are the main actorsin the Middle Eastbecause of the breadth of the lands, huge repertoires of oil, geopolitical situations. They have a considerable influence in the development of the Middle East. Saudi cities of Mecca and Medina, their claim on the leadership,along with their strategic ties with the Muslim world and America made this country an influential one. Iran also claims to be the leadership in the Muslim world with an independent policy and a supporter of Islamic countries and movements. Due to the desire of both countries to expand their influence among Islamic countries, there is a stiff competition between them. This article seeks to answer the following questions: What were the causes of the decrease in Saudi-Iranian relation in the first decade after the Islamic Revolution in Iran?
What were the factors contributing to this challenge and tension in relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia?
What was the impact of Islamic Revolution in Saudi-Iranian relations?
What were the impact of religious and ideological differences on relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia?
What were other contributing factors in relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia?
The study is based on the assumption that relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia in the first decade after the Islamic Revolution has been accompanied by challenges and stress so that relations between the two countries have been strained. Reasons for the worsening of relations between the two countries in this period are: the ideological nature of the two countries, the Islamic Revolution and the fear of its export to Saudi, competition in the power block and the role of regional powers, imposed war, Hajj Ibrahim, Palestinian issue, oil and gas geopolitics of the Persian Gulf, the Persian Gulf Council and so on.
This descriptive and analytical study is based on primary sources and the research methods is library research. In some cases, the documents Documentation Center and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs were used.