The Role of the United states in the Iran–Saudi Arabia Rivalry for Regional Influence

Abstract

In the Middle East, where numerous states aspire to exert influence and achieve regional dominance, the rivalry between Iran and Saudi Arabia holds particular significance. This discord stems from several key factors. In addition to historical confessional and ideological differences, the dynamics of this relationship and, consequently, the balance of power in the region are also shaped by another crucial factor: the United States and its policy toward both actors, as well as the region as a whole. The Iran–Saudi Arabia rivalry traces its origins back to 1979, when the Islamic Revolution in Iran gave rise to a new, hostile regime and fundamentally altered the existing status quo in the region. However, the competition between the two countries for regional leadership became more pronounced after 2003, when the regime change in Iraq enabled Iran to begin expanding its influence across the region. Accordingly, this article examines U.S.-Saudi Arabia relations and the political approach toward Iran from 2003 to the present, under successive U.S. administrations. It explores how these policies have significantly influenced the regional rivalry between Riyadh and Tehran for strategic dominance. Over the past two decades, the shifting approaches of the Bush, Obama, Trump, and Biden administrations toward both their ally Riyadh and their adversary Tehran have had tangible consequences for the balance of power in the Middle East.