DHH3723 POLITICS AND IR OF THE

MIDDLE EAST
TOPIC 8: FOREIGN POLICY OF SAUDI
ARABIA & IRAN
DR NOR AISHAH HANIFA
DEPARTMENT OF IR, LAW, AND SECURITY
FACULTY OF DEFENCE STUDIES AND MANAGEMENT
UPNM
 WHAT IS FOREIGN POLICY?
• A government’s strategy in dealing with other nations. They are general
objectives that guide activities and relationship of one state in its
relationship with other states.
• Foreign policy is influenced by domestic factors, policy or behaviour of
other states and plans to advance specific geopolitical goals.
• The primary purpose of foreign policy – to defend nation’s national
interests.
• A state’s foreign policy consists of strategies it uses to protect its
international and domestic interests and determine the way it interact with
state actors and non-state actors.
• Principles of foreign policy – mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial
integrity, mutual non-aggression, non-interference in each others internal
affairs, equality and mutual benefits and peaceful co-existence.
 FOREIGN POLICY OF SAUDI ARABIA
• Focused on cooperation with Gulf nations, the unity of the Arab world,
Islamic strength and solidarity, support for the UN.
• SA represents 20% of the combined GDP of the ME-North Africa (MENA)
region and quarter of the Arab world – economy engine of the region and
effective partner of the G20.
• Overall goal – strengthen the allies in the region and beyond and assist in all
ways to help neighbours to maintain stability. Peace in the region, conclusion
of outstanding conflicts, conflict resolutions are primary objective.
• SA believe next decade’s most vital security issue is progress – there must
be political, economic, and social progress for the people and governments
of the ME, so that peace clearly seen as the gateway to prosperity.
• SA – first issue is Iran – since the Iranian Revolution, Iran became a
challenge.
 CONTINUE…
• SA has 2 concerns about Iran – 1) Iran does not develop nuclear weapon.
2)Iranian leadership meddling and destabilizing efforts in countries with
Shiite majorities. SA oppose Iran’s Interference in other countries.
• SA and Iraq – looking for Iran free Iraq and SA distance from all factions in
Iraq. SA continue to work with the Iraqi people to assure that Iraq become
stable, positive, and independent member of the Arab World.
• SA and Yemen - unstable Yemen represents a real security threat due to
potential terror cells to take root. Yemen has been arena of Al-Qaeda
operations since Osama bin Laden established training camps there in
1990s. SA has tripartite approach – giving economy and financial support to
Yemeni people. SA strengthening its borders to prevent terrorists and
refugees crossing into SA. SA increase counter-intelligence efforts to
eliminate al-Qaeda operations. SA supports the Yemeni Sunni government
against the Houthi rebellions.
 CONTINUE…
• SA and Lebanon – SA believe law and order must prevail in Lebanon and
support all efforts to neutralize Hezbollah’s intervention in Syria. SA provides
financial aid to Lebanon and keen to rebuild a stronger and more stable Lebanon.
• SA and Syria – SA oppose Assad regime’s criminal behaviour in Syria. SA
oppose Russia, Iran, and China’s support to Syrian regime. SA supports targeted
strikes against at Syria’s air force, command and control centres to end Syria’s
brutality.
• SA and Egypt – Egypt has a special place in Saudi security interests – significant
ties to the Kingdom. SA supports all political changes took place in Egypt
although not supportive of Muslim Brotherhood which overthrow President
Mubarak. When Sisi come to power, SA welcome the change of leadership.
• SA and Bahrain – Bahrain closest to SA. After 1979, Iran tried to export its
revolution to Bahrain. Iran claims Bahrain as a part of Iran. Saudi supported GCC
troops in Bahrain to secure oil refinery, airport, seaport, economic installations.
Bahrain’s security is vital to SA.
 CONTINUE…
• SA and Israel-Palestine – SA continue to ask Israel
to take necessary steps toward peace and justice.
SA continues to support the Palestinian Authority in
it attempts to build lasting institutions for its people.
SA is the largest contributor to the PA. Millions of
dollars provided to rebuild and redevelop Palestine.
SA supports two state solution in the ME and called
upon the world to support establishment of State of
Palestine.
 FOREIGN POLICY OF IRAN
• Iranian foreign policy influenced by national sentiments – combination of
pride in Iranian culture and a sense of victimization – created sense of
independence and a culture of resistance to domination by any foreign
power among the Iranian people.
• Iran prioritize easing tensions with neighbours and bolstering relations with
non-western powers, namely China and Russia.
• Iran and Afghanistan – Iran welcome withdrawal of the US forces from
Afghanistan and forced to deal with influx of refugees to Iran. Iran urged
the Taliban to resolve all issues through dialogue. Iran focused on
instability, refugee, narcotic trafficking, cross border trade, shared water
resources, the Shiite minority, and threat from Sunni Jihadis in ISIS-
Khorasan. Iran hosted foreign conference of 6 nations to discuss the
future of Afghanistan.
 CONTINUE…
• Iran’s “Look to the East Policy” seeks Russia and China to bolster Iran,
especially on the nuclear issue, and to withstand western sanctions and threats.
President Ebrahim Raisi visit to Moscow in April 2022 – strengthen relations with
Russia – preparation of a 20 year long term cooperation roadmap. Iran cooperates
with Russia to secure Syrian regime. Iran sees the Russia-Ukraine War – as
coming of the new world order that Iran waited for a long time.
• Iran sees China as the main pillar of the Pivot to the East. Iran signed 25 years
cooperation agreement with China in 2021. China buys Iranian oil despite the US
sanction. China invested in Iran’s oil and gas industries. China supported Iran’s
accession to the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in 2021 which would
increase Iranian presence in Central Asian nations.
• President Raisi’s visit to Doha – Qatar and Iran signed several agreements to
increase collaboration. Iran’s relations with the UAE – both claims 3 islands in Gulf
of Hormuz (Abu Musa, Great Dunb, Little Dunb).
• Iran – willingness to mediate a ceasefire between SA and Houthis.
 CONTINUE…
• Iran and USA – an era of close alliance existed during the time of King
Shah Mohamed Reza Pahlavi’s regime. Followed by dramatic reversal in
1979 when the Islamic Revolution took place. Hostility began between Iran
and the USA. Iranian interests in the USA handled through the Pakistan
High Commission. There is no diplomatic relations between Iran and the
USA.
• There are huge misunderstanding and differences in opinion between
them. Clash of Civilizations is one of the factor. Competition for regional
hegemony is another factor.
• Iran and Israel – With Iranian Revolution in 1979 – Israel seen as an
enemy by Iran. Iranian leaders like Ahmedenejad pledged to erase Iran
from the world map. He also falsified the occurrence of the Holocaust.
Tension is higher between them because of Iran’s nuclear program.
 CONTINUE…
• Iran and Palestine – Iran is a staunch supporter of
the Palestine liberation. Iran officially endorses
replacement of Israel by unitary Palestinian state or
whatever choice made by Palestinians.
• Iran provided Palestinians in Gaza especially the
Hamas with financial aid, arms, military technology
and training. Hamas budget to run Gaza mostly
comes from foreign contribution. Iran is one of the
major contributor.
 CONTINUE…
• Iran and Turkey – cooperate in fighting terrorism, drug
trafficking, promoting stability in Iraq, and Central Asia.
Both countries are part of the Economic Cooperation
Organization (ECO). Both have close cooperation with
Qatar.
• Formation of 1st Axis – Iran-Russia-China-Syria.
• Formation of 2nd Axis – Iran-Turkey-Qatar.
• Iran & Syria are strategic allies, often called as closest
ally.