The Impact of Systemic Factors on Iran-Gulf Arab Relations

Abstract

Since the Persian Gulf Arab states became independent in the 1960s and the 1970s, their relations with Iran have been mostly fraught. In particular, since the 1979 Islamic Revolution in Iran, relations with the Persian Gulf Arab states have deteriorated. Demographic and geographic imbalances, often clashing ideologies and world views, diverging security interest, competition for regional influence, plus ethnic and sectarian differences between Iran and the Arabs, have been responsible for the fraught state of Iran-Gulf Arab relations. However, systemic factors both at international and regional levels, have also deeply affected these relations. At the regional level, the Israel factor and the evolving nature of intra-Arab politics have been especially significant. At the international level, the character of the international political system, especially the balance of power among its key actors, plus the policies of the major international players have had the greatest impact. This pattern is likely to continue in future as well.