Are Iran And Saudi Arabia Enemies? Unpacking A Complex Rivalry

Prof. Aliyah Brown Sr. 19 Jun 2025

The question of whether Iran and Saudi Arabia are enemies is far more intricate than a simple yes or no. For decades, these two regional powerhouses have been locked in a fierce, multifaceted rivalry that has profoundly shaped the Middle East's geopolitical landscape. While they have indeed acted as adversaries, engaging in proxy wars and ideological battles, the underlying dynamics are a complex blend of historical grievances, geopolitical ambitions, and shifting alliances.

Their relationship is a delicate balance of deep-seated animosity and, at times, pragmatic engagement. Understanding this dynamic requires delving into the historical roots of their competition, examining the battlegrounds where their proxy wars have played out, and recognizing the external influences that exacerbate or mitigate their tensions. This article aims to unpack the layers of this complex relationship, exploring why these two nations have often found themselves at loggerheads and what the future might hold for their interactions.

The Historical Roots of a Deep-Seated Rivalry
Proxy Wars: The Battlegrounds of Influence
- Yemen: A Proxy War's Devastating Impact
- Syria and Iraq: Contested Spheres of Power
Ideological and Religious Underpinnings
External Alliances and Geopolitical Chessboard
- The US Factor: A Shifting Dynamic
- Israel's Role: Unintended Consequences
Incidents That Fuelled Tensions
Beyond the "Intractable Enemies" Narrative
Recent De-escalation and Future Prospects
Conclusion: A Complex Dance of Rivalry and Pragmatism

The Historical Roots of a Deep-Seated Rivalry

The animosity between Saudi Arabia and Iran is not a recent phenomenon; they have long been rivals, but it's all recently got a lot more tense. Their relationship has been characterized by a persistent competition for regional leadership and influence, a dynamic that has shaped their foreign policies for decades. Bilateral relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia have cooled down, after previously being strained over several geopolitical issues, such as aspirations for regional leadership, oil export policy, and relations with the United States and other Western countries.

During the 1990s, Saudi Arabia and Iran also competed for influence in the broader Muslim world. This competition wasn't just about political power; it extended to ideological supremacy, with both nations seeking to project their respective visions of Islamic governance and leadership. The 1979 Iranian Revolution, which established an Islamic Republic, significantly altered the regional balance of power. Saudi Arabia, a conservative monarchy and guardian of Islam's holiest sites, viewed Iran's revolutionary ideology with suspicion, fearing its potential to destabilize the region and inspire Shia minorities within its own borders and beyond.

A stark example of this historical tension is Saudi Arabia's support for Iraq financially and politically in its war against Iran in the 1980s. Riyadh saw Saddam Hussein’s regime as a bulwark against Iranian expansion, a clear indication of how deeply entrenched the rivalry was even then. This period cemented a perception of mutual threat, laying the groundwork for the proxy conflicts that would define their relationship in the subsequent decades. The core question, "Are Iran and Saudi Arabia enemies?" finds its initial affirmative answer in these formative years, where ideological differences began to manifest in concrete geopolitical opposition.

Proxy Wars: The Battlegrounds of Influence

Over the last two decades, Iran and Saudi Arabia have been on opposing sides of the deadliest conflicts in the Middle East. This is perhaps the most visible manifestation of their enmity. The two have backed rival groups in Iraq, Syria, and Yemen, as well as in Lebanon and the Palestinian territories. This strategy of supporting proxies allows both nations to exert influence and undermine the other without engaging in direct military confrontation, which would risk a devastating regional war. Iran and Saudi Arabia have been waging proxy wars for decades, and their rivalry has dragged the region into chaos.

This competition for power has become the cause of different complexities in various areas, weakening international allies and resulting in ongoing wars. The sectarian dimension, often oversimplified as a Sunni-Shia conflict, has been heavily exploited and exacerbated by both sides to rally support for their respective proxies. While the underlying issues are often political and economic, the religious narrative provides a potent rallying cry, igniting the Sunni-Shia conflict in the Middle East.

Yemen: A Proxy War's Devastating Impact

The conflict in Yemen stands as one of the most tragic examples of the Iran-Saudi proxy war. Saudi Arabia, leading a coalition of Arab states, intervened in Yemen in 2015 to restore the internationally recognized government after it was overthrown by the Houthi movement. The Houthis, a Zaydi Shia group, are widely perceived as being backed by Iran, although the extent of this support is debated. For Saudi Arabia, the Houthi presence on its southern border represents a direct security threat and a potential Iranian foothold. The war has led to a catastrophic humanitarian crisis, with millions facing starvation and displacement, a direct consequence of the regional rivalry.

The Houthi's ability to launch drone and missile attacks deep into Saudi territory, some of which have been attributed to Iranian technology, further underscores the direct security implications for Riyadh. This conflict highlights how the question of "are Iran and Saudi Arabia enemies" translates into real-world suffering, as the civilian population bears the brunt of a geopolitical struggle for dominance. The prolonged nature of the conflict also illustrates the difficulty of disengaging from these proxy battles once they have taken root.

Syria and Iraq: Contested Spheres of Power

In Syria, Iran has been a steadfast ally of the Assad regime, providing significant military and financial support to ensure its survival. This support is crucial for Iran's "Axis of Resistance," a network of allies and proxies stretching from Tehran to Beirut, aimed at countering Israeli and Western influence. Saudi Arabia, on the other hand, supported various rebel groups seeking to overthrow Assad, viewing his regime as an Iranian client state and a threat to regional stability. The Syrian civil war thus became another battleground where Iran and Saudi Arabia squared off, indirectly but fiercely.

Similarly, in Iraq, both nations have vied for influence following the 2003 US-led invasion. Iran has cultivated strong ties with various Shia political parties and militias, leveraging historical and religious connections. Saudi Arabia has largely opted out or been sidelined in Iraqi politics for a period, though it has recently sought to re-engage. The competition in Iraq is less about direct conflict and more about political and economic leverage, with both countries seeking to ensure that Baghdad's policies align with their strategic interests. This complex interplay of support for rival factions in multiple countries vividly illustrates why many observers conclude that Iran and Saudi Arabia are enemies, even if their conflict is rarely direct.

Ideological and Religious Underpinnings

While geopolitical ambition and regional dominance are primary drivers, the rivalry between Iran and Saudi Arabia is often framed, and indeed exacerbated, by ideological and religious differences. Saudi Arabia and Iran wrap themselves in the righteousness of faith, but at the centre is the naked ambition of survival, influence, and what it means to be a, or perhaps the most, powerful Muslim nation. Saudi Arabia champions Sunni Islam, specifically its conservative Wahhabi interpretation, and sees itself as the leader of the Sunni Muslim world and the custodian of Islam's holiest sites in Mecca and Medina. Iran, as the leading Shia Muslim power, views itself as the protector of Shia communities worldwide and a revolutionary Islamic state challenging Western hegemony.

This sectarian divide is often weaponized by both sides to garner support and demonize the other. For instance, the predominantly Sunni Saudi Arabia's execution of a Shiite cleric, Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr, on 4 January 2016, following attacks on the Saudi embassy in Tehran, directly led to Saudi Arabia severing diplomatic relations with Iran. This incident vividly demonstrated how religious rhetoric and perceived sectarian grievances can escalate political tensions into diplomatic crises.

Furthermore, the annual pilgrimage in Mecca, a sacred duty for Muslims worldwide, has also been a flashpoint. Clashes between Iranian pilgrims and Saudi security forces have occurred, notably in 1987, leading to the deaths of over 400 people. Iran has often accused Saudi Arabia of mismanaging the pilgrimage and discriminating against its pilgrims, while Saudi Arabia has accused Iran of politicizing the religious event. These incidents underscore how deeply intertwined religious identity and political rivalry are in the question of "are Iran and Saudi Arabia enemies."

External Alliances and Geopolitical Chessboard

The rivalry between Iran and Saudi Arabia is not played out in a vacuum; it is significantly influenced by the alliances and strategic interests of external powers. The United States, in particular, plays a pivotal role, historically aligning more closely with Saudi Arabia. The presence of US troops to be stationed on its soil is a move that has angered Iran, which views American military presence in the Gulf as a direct threat to its security and sovereignty. This perceived encirclement by a US-Saudi axis fuels Iran's strategic doctrine of developing proxies to project power and deter potential aggression.

The US Factor: A Shifting Dynamic

For decades, the US has been Saudi Arabia's primary security guarantor, providing military hardware and training. This alliance has historically been a cornerstone of US policy in the Middle East, aimed at ensuring oil flow and countering Soviet, and later Iranian, influence. Iran, on the other hand, has viewed the US as the "Great Satan" since the 1979 revolution, accusing it of interfering in its internal affairs and supporting its regional adversaries. This fundamental divergence in their relationships with the US has deepened the chasm between Riyadh and Tehran, making it harder to reconcile their differences. However, recent shifts in US foreign policy, including a perceived pivot away from the Middle East, have prompted both Iran and Saudi Arabia to reassess their strategies, potentially opening avenues for de-escalation or, conversely, creating new vacuums for competition.

Israel's Role: Unintended Consequences

Israel, one of Iran’s greatest enemies, is also the US’s greatest ally in the Middle East. This alignment has historically created a tacit understanding, if not outright cooperation, between Saudi Arabia and Israel against their common foe, Iran. Both Saudi Arabia and Israel have developed increased worries with Iran's nuclear program and its regional activities. Israeli operations have indeed targeted some of Saudi Arabia’s enemies, such as the Houthis in Yemen and Hezbollah in Lebanon, further solidifying this perception of shared strategic interests.

However, recent events, particularly Israel’s war in Gaza and the wider region, have introduced an unexpected dynamic. Israel’s presumptions, however, have proved erroneous. In fact, Israel’s war in Gaza and the wider region is driving Saudi Arabia and Iran closer together. The widespread condemnation of Israeli actions in the Arab and Muslim world has put Saudi Arabia in a difficult position, potentially undermining its efforts to normalize relations with Israel and pushing it towards a more unified stance with other regional powers, including Iran, on the Palestinian issue. This illustrates how external factors can unexpectedly alter the complex equation of whether Iran and Saudi Arabia are enemies, sometimes leading to surprising shifts in alliances and priorities.

Incidents That Fuelled Tensions

Beyond the overarching geopolitical and ideological rivalries, specific incidents have repeatedly inflamed tensions between Iran and Saudi Arabia, pushing their relationship to breaking point. These events serve as stark reminders of how fragile stability can be in a region where two powerful nations view each other with deep suspicion.

The Mina disaster, which occurred during the Hajj pilgrimage in 2015, tragically killed thousands of pilgrims, including hundreds of Iranians. This event inflamed tensions between regional rivals Saudi Arabia and Iran, which were already elevated due to the wider turmoil in the Middle East. Iran accused Saudi authorities of mismanagement and negligence, while Saudi Arabia countered with accusations of Iran politicizing a religious tragedy. This incident not only deepened the existing mistrust but also led to Iran boycotting the Hajj in 2016, further isolating the two nations.

Another critical flashpoint was the 2018 Ahvaz military parade attack that killed 25 people. Iran blamed the ASMLA (Arab Struggle Movement for the Liberation of Ahvaz), an Arab separatist group based in Khuzestan which seeks autonomy, for the attack. Iran claimed that ASMLA got the backing of Israel, Saudi Arabia, and the West. While Saudi Arabia denied involvement, such accusations highlight the deep suspicion and readiness to blame external rivals for internal security challenges. Iran has fostered groups over decades to enable them to carry out attacks on Israel as well as other countries, such as Saudi Arabia, that Iran has sometimes viewed as enemies. This tit-for-tat accusation of supporting terrorist or separatist groups underscores the dangerous cycle of mistrust and retaliation that defines their relationship, reinforcing the perception that Iran and Saudi Arabia are enemies in a covert war.

Beyond the "Intractable Enemies" Narrative

While the narrative of "intractable enemies" often dominates headlines – "fire and dynamite," as one Saudi journalist memorably described them – some analysts argue that this portrayal oversimplifies a more nuanced reality. Frederic Wehrey, for instance, doesn’t buy that narrative, suggesting that the relationship, while deeply adversarial, is not entirely devoid of pragmatic considerations or potential for de-escalation. Their proxy battles and jockeying for leadership of the Muslim world have ravaged the Middle East and, as has been vividly illustrated, could yet ravage it further, but this doesn't necessarily mean an eternal state of war.

One key factor often overlooked is the differing capacities and constraints of the two nations. Iran, crippled by decades of sanctions and Western interference in its affairs and without the oil money Saudi Arabia benefits from, has had its foreign policy shaped by the necessity to develop proxies. This strategy is not solely an aggressive posture but also a defensive one, born out of economic hardship and a perceived need to deter more powerful adversaries. Saudi Arabia, with its vast oil wealth and strong Western alliances, operates from a different position of strength, yet it also faces its own set of internal and external challenges.

The "intractable enemies" label also tends to overlook periods of engagement or even cooperation, however brief or limited. Diplomacy, even if strained, has occurred at various points. The idea that Iran and Saudi Arabia are enemies in an unchangeable state ignores the complexities of their internal politics, economic pressures, and evolving regional dynamics, all of which can influence their foreign policy decisions and potentially open doors for dialogue.

Recent De-escalation and Future Prospects

Despite the long history of animosity, recent developments suggest a cautious move towards de-escalation, raising the question: why Iran and Saudi Arabia are reconcile enemies? In a surprising turn of events, facilitated by China, Saudi Arabia and Iran restored diplomatic ties in March 2023, after seven years of severed relations. This move, while significant, does not instantly erase decades of mistrust. A year after restoring diplomatic ties, Saudi Arabia and Iran still experience tensions, but the direct lines of communication are open once more.

This reconciliation effort is a testament to the fact that it hasn't always been this way, and that the chain of events, from countless revolutions to the wars in Syria and Yemen, might finally be leading to a different chapter. The drivers for this rapprochement are multifaceted: Saudi Arabia's desire to focus on its ambitious Vision 2030 economic transformation plan, which requires regional stability; Iran's need to alleviate international isolation and sanctions pressure; and both nations' fatigue with costly proxy wars that have yielded no clear victors. The unexpected outcome of Israel's war in Gaza, driving Saudi Arabia and Iran closer together on the Palestinian issue, also highlights how external events can reshape bilateral dynamics.

The path forward remains challenging. The underlying issues of regional leadership, oil policy, and relations with external powers persist. However, the restoration of diplomatic ties offers a glimmer of hope that while Iran and Saudi Arabia are enemies in a historical and geopolitical sense, they are also capable of pragmatic engagement. The future of their relationship will likely be characterized by a complex dance of continued rivalry tempered by an increasing recognition of shared interests in regional stability and economic development.

Conclusion: A Complex Dance of Rivalry and Pragmatism

The question of "are Iran and Saudi Arabia enemies?" elicits a resounding yes when viewed through the lens of their historical rivalry, their devastating proxy wars across the Middle East, and their deep ideological divides. Their competition for regional leadership, fueled by differing visions of Islam and strategic alliances with global powers, has indeed dragged the region into chaos, igniting sectarian conflicts and causing immense human suffering. They have been at loggerheads for a long time, and their actions have often reflected the description of "fire and dynamite."

However, to label them as simply "intractable enemies" risks oversimplifying a dynamic relationship that is constantly evolving. The recent restoration of diplomatic ties, driven by a mutual desire for stability and economic development, signals a cautious shift away from pure confrontation. While tensions persist and the underlying issues remain unresolved, the willingness to engage directly suggests a pragmatic recognition that perpetual conflict serves neither nation's long-term interests. The complex interplay of internal pressures, external influences, and the sheer exhaustion from decades of proxy battles may yet pave the way for a more stable, albeit still competitive, future. Understanding this intricate dance of rivalry and pragmatism is crucial for anyone seeking to comprehend the future of the Middle East.

What are your thoughts on the future of Iran-Saudi relations? Do you believe they can truly move past their historical animosity, or are they destined to remain adversaries? Share your insights in the comments below, and don't forget to share this article with others interested in Middle Eastern geopolitics!

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