The relations of the Islamic Republic of Iran - Khe Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (1979-2011)

The main involvement of this study is to investigate and describe bilateral relations between Islamic Republic of Iran and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from the 1979 Iranian Islamic Revolution to the 2011 Arab Spring. Both prominent states, Iran and Saudi Arabia, have occupied crucial status in the Muslim World, the Middle East, particularly the Persian Gulf. Therefore, political dimension of Tehran-Riyadh relations are harboring content that can shed a light on our understandig of critical develepments in aforementioned regions.In this context, during the three decades between the Iranian Islamic Revolution and Arap Spring, fundamental characteristic of Iran-Saudi Arabia relations has been seen as a multi-dimensional competition. In some periods, enhancement of this rivalry has resulted in tension and confrontation bilateral relations. In this thesis, principal elements shaping Tehran-Riyadh relations have been examined in two groups: continuity factors and rupture factors. Continuity elements which have directing feature in two countrys? relations have stem from structural features and maintain their effects until the present time. Therefore, there exists a tough and continous competition between the Persian identity, the Shia consideration, the Republic system that generates Iran and the Arab identity, the Sunni understanding and the Monarchy rule that creates Saudi Arabia. On the other hand, rupture elements have important national, regional and international developments which largely affect attitudes and behaviors of these two states. Hence, the Tehran-Riyadh relations after 1979 have been investigated in three eras. First period begins with the 1979 Iranian Islamic Revolution and finishes with the death of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini in 1989. The main dynamic that determined this period is the regional policy of Iran that has potential which to destroy pillars of the current system. With the 1979 Iranian Islamic Revolution, domestic variables effecting the foreign policy of Iran have deeply changed. After 1979, due to Iran?s revisionist foreign policy and endeavor to export its revolution, Saudi regime have pursued balancing and containment policy. As a result of this, 1979-89 era of these states? mutual relations is defined as the direct competition and confrontation. The second period in relations of Tehran and Riyadh includes time session between 1989-2001. Essential variables in this period are the end of I. Gulf War in 1988, the death of the revolution leader Ayatollah Khomeini in 1989, outbreak of II. Gulf War in 1990 and coming to leadership of Hashimi Rafsanjani who opened the new chapter foreign policy of Iran and Iran?s relations with neighbouring states. With the significant developments in their internal and external politics in the 1990s, both Iran and Saudis have brought positive implications on each other. As a natural result of these, the detente era has began in Tehran-Riyadh relations. In two states? relations? the thirth period covers the time 2001-2011. This period?s essential independent variable, the September 11, 2001 attacks, have caused this era and deeply reflected itself on these states? relations. Important developments that took place in the new Middle East after 2001, have generated results in favour of Iran. Moreover The September 11, 2001 has placed Iran and Saudis opposite position again and enhanced an intensive of competition as a result of deep concerns of Saudis. Key Words: Iran, Saudi Arabia, Iranian Islamic Revolution, Arab Spring, Gulf Wars.