The Iran-Saudi Arabia Power Struggle

The purpose of this study is to comprehensively analyze the power and influence struggle between Iran and Saudi Arabia. As is well known, Iran and Saudi Arabia have been engaged in a long-standing battle for power and influence in the Middle East, shaped by historical, ideological, and strategic differences. In pursuit of increasing its regional influence, Iran continues to seek the development of nuclear capabilities, while Saudi Arabia has consistently attempted to prevent this process and has taken a firm stance against Iran’s nuclear activities. In areas where their interests conflict, the two countries use Shia-Sunni religious identities as strategic tools in their pursuit of dominance in the Middle East.This study analyzes Iran's efforts to become a nuclear power within the framework of Saudi-Israeli relations and regional dynamics, by evaluating data from official state sources through content analysis methods. The analysis, conducted via document analysis, reveals that the U.S. withdrawal from the 2015 Iran nuclear deal in 2018 and the subsequent sanctions imposed on Tehran have pushed Iran closer to the China-Russia axis. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia has diversified its energy diplomacy by continuing nuclear cooperation negotiations with the U.S., while also forging agreements with other countries. In this context, Saudi Arabia's resumption of relations with Iran under Chinese mediation in 2023 has had a significant impact on the regional balance.