Structural Determinations in Iran-Saudi Arabia Relations from the Nixon Doctrine to Post-Arab Spring

Based on a comparative and historical analysis, the present article discusses the reasons for continuous tensions between Iran and Saudi Arabia over the past half a century and claims that the structural requirements of power in the international system and the balance of power at the regional level are the most important determinants of tensions between the two countries. Following a theoretical explanation of the two positive and negative forms, the article deals with historical analysis and the relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia during the British withdrawal from the Persian Gulf and the Nixon Doctrine, the Islamic Revolution of Iran, the Iran-Iraq war, Saddam’s invasion of Kuwait in 1991, the US attack to Iraq in 2003, Israel’s 33-day war against Hezbollah in Lebanon, and Iran-Saudi Arabia relations after the Arab Spring in 2010. Finally, it offers some solutions for managing the confrontation between the two countries. The research method is explanatory and prescriptive.