Iran and Saudi Arabia relations
Written by: Allah Nawaz Khan
allahnawazk012@gmail.com
Iranian Minister of Finance and Economic
Affairs Abdolnaser Hemmati said that Iran is ready to increase investment and economic relations with Saudi Arabia. He also mentioned that specific agreements are necessary to increase relations. He also mentioned the elimination of double taxation and bilateral investment and customs rules. He stressed the importance of strong economic relations amid external interference. He further said that strong economic cooperation is necessary to maintain the sovereignty and stability of the region. He also mentioned writing good relations with everyone. He expressed his determination to improve relations with Iran’s neighboring countries, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Rahmon. It is good that Iran wants to have good relations with everyone, including Saudi Arabia. But the question is, can Iran succeed in this effort? The answer to this can be that Iran cannot easily succeed in its goals because there are very big obstacles ahead of it. Tehran is trying to overcome these obstacles, but it is still far from success. It is making every possible effort to ensure that relations with its neighbors, if not good, are not so bad that a war situation arises. Iran is facing very big opponents, and these opponents include Israel and opponents like the United States. The United States has imposed severe sanctions on Iran, and these sanctions are creating severe difficulties for Iran. Iran cannot sell oil in the world market due to sanctions. It is not just the problem of oil, but it cannot sell other goods, and purchasing has also become difficult due to sanctions. Iran is trying to improve its diplomatic relations with others, whether they are trade or other types of relations. Iran is also facing a threat in terms of its defense. Saudi Arabia and its relations have not deteriorated to the point that a war will start, but there is a possibility that a war will start in the future. A war with Iran can also be started by putting pressure on Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia is strong economically, but it is one of the weakest countries in terms of defense. Saudi Arabia is maintaining its defense through foreign aid, but this foreign aid is also keeping it under pressure. Saudi Arabia sells oil It is among the countries that export oil and its customers include buyers like China, but now instead of depending on oil, other sources of trade are being sought and their implementation has also begun. There is a possibility that in the near future, the importance of oil will disappear and its alternative sources will be used. Saudi Arabia is well aware that other sources are necessary for the strengthening of the economy instead of oil.
Some ice had melted between Tehran and Riyadh in 2023, and the possibility had increased that both sides were moving towards improvement. China’s efforts were included to end their differences and bring them to a table, but many expectations were not met. In the past, some steps were taken to ensure that the two countries had friendly relations, but these could not reach a lasting conclusion due to differences and external interference. The chaos spreading in the Middle East is also affecting these two countries. Iran is being more affected by this chaos. Iran sometimes gets involved in activities that are dangerous to the security of others. It is claimed that Iran is also interfering in Syria. Now, efforts are being made again for Tehran and Riyadh to move towards improvement. Professional differences have also created distances between them. The political environment is also creating huge distances between them. Saudi Arabia has a monarchy and Iran has a democracy. In a monarchy, public opinion is not given much importance, but in a democracy, public opinion is given great importance. is known as the first. If efforts are made to end political differences and sectarian differences, great improvement can be expected in these two countries. The differences between these two countries are also affecting other countries in the region, because these two states are known as the first in two major sects (Sunni-Shiite). Iran is close to the Shiite sect and Sunnis prefer Saudi Arabia. If both countries only resolve their sectarian differences, then great distances can be easily bridged. Both countries can do a lot for the betterment of the region by ending tensions and coming closer to each other.
