Improving Tehran-Riyadh Relations and the Hormoz Peace Endeavor (HOPE)

This paper is aimed at exploring the most fundamental step for the implementation of initiatives based on the idea of endogenous security in the Persian Gulf, including the Hormoz Peace Endeavor (HOPE). Therefore, the main question is: “What is the most important fundamental step in implementing the HOPE?”. Since the implementation of the HOPE requires weakening of the durable patterns of amity and enmity intertwined with enmity between Iran and the GCC, the hypothesis says: “Improving Tehran-Riyadh bilateral relations is the most fundamental step in implementing the HOPE”. This research is descriptive-analytical and an inferential methodology is utilized to analyze the findings. The conceptual framework has also been formed through applying the Balance of Threat (BoT) theory to the Regional Security Complex theory. While completing the hypothesis, the findings show that, first, the existence of at least some degree of security convergence between Tehran and Riyadh is necessary to implement any security model based on the idea of endogenous security in the Persian Gulf. And second, since Saudi Arabia has no incentive to implement endogenous security initiatives in the region, Tehran can achieve the minimum necessary requisites for security convergence with this country, through establishing an agreement with Riyadh on some areas of influence in the Middle East.