Saudi Iran Conflict

The Islamic Republic of Iran, formerly known as the Kingdom of Iran, came to global
prominence in 3000 BCE; when Darius the Great made major conquests. For thousands of years
it was the focus of the bipolar word between the western Byzantines and eastern Persians. Last
of Iran’s imperial dynasty started in the sixteenth century. At its peak in the twentieth Century
Raza Shah had the World’s fifth largest army, thanks to its oil riches and friendly relations with
the West. Shah, who had a vision of economic prosperity and social modernization, was toppled
in the 1979 revolution. The most conspicuous reason being his overt liberal policies that Iranian
clergy rejected. In actuality Shah was toppled by the West who never wanted a strong Country
like Imperial Iran in the Middle East, second reason being Shah wanted to raise Global oil prices
that the West objected.

The second phase of Iran’s modern history started as an Islamic Republic under the clerical
leadership of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Right after the Iran’s Revolution a war was imposed on it
by the West and the Soviet Union, who for the first time in history jointly supported Iraq. But
the country rallied around its supreme leader to defend its sovereignty. All along this Western
plot of destabilizing Iran; Saudi Arab was used as a launch pad. Saudi: a county of humongous
oil riches is a hub of Wahabi Islam. An Islamic Sect that criminalizes Shia Islam. With clerical
supremacy in Iran conflict between the two Oil giants was inevitable. Both countries
immediately found themselves in a perpetual fight for dominance. For Saudi Arab rise of a
successful democratic revolution was an existential threat.

For the West who was able to suppress a vibrant and developed nation of the sixties and
seventies, a new threat emerged in the shape of Islamic Jihad. Soon Iran emerged as a global
player as it focused on infrastructure, education and a military which has been short of
equipment since 1979. While rich and open to US arms Saudi Arab still is no match for Iran’s
vintage yet capable military. With sanctions in place Iran’s once thriving economy couldn’t
manage macro-economic imbalances, yet Iranian public has been receptive to fact that most of
this caused by deliberate western maximum pressure strategy. In 2011 the Arab spring erupted
with pro-Democracy and anti-authoritarian slogans but was soon put to rest by Saudi and
Emirati sponsored violence. While Iran viewed it as a window to extend its global influence,
Saudis made timely investments in several radical militia outlets adhering mostly to Sunni Islam.
To safeguard its interests Iran also launched its militias, and hence starting a cycle of violence,
hate and polarization. A cold proxy war started.

In 2015 with the success of the JCPOA ( joint comprehensive plan of action) a nuclear deal
between Iran and the ‘P5’ nations, Iran’s grew at an astonishing rate of 13% at one stage. This
posed a threat to both the Saudi regime and Israel. Iran now had both the freedom and
finances to supports its array of proxies.