The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Islamic Republic of Iran are two major rivals in the Muslim world and any resistance or action between them cannot be ignored. Both countries have been fighting proxy wars against each other for many decades. The motives behind all these wars are regional supremacy, political and ideological domination and economic supremacy. Another reason is the desire to have the sole leadership of the Muslim world. Saudi Arabia came into being as soon as the Ottoman Empire ended and Al-e-Saud became the fate of this region. On the other hand, Iran was emerging as a new force in the east of Saudi Arabia, despite many difficulties. The Iranian region also faced Russian and British attacks in the 18th century. Both countries are oil rich. Both are major oil exporters and their economy booms but they support various Islamic sects: Sunni in Saudi Arabia and Shia sect in Iran. Saudi Arabia has sacred sites such as Mecca and Medina, which have a special significance in the Islamic world and it connects the entire Muslim Ummah. While Iran is dominant in military power.
Iranian-backed Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthi rebels and several militia forces are fighting proxy wars in various countries. Iranian General Qassem Soleimani assassination in Iraq has exposed Iranian influence. Tehran has long been more active, strong and dynamic due to its clear, aggressive and independent foreign policy. Its rival Riyadh has lagged far behind in achieving these successes. The ongoing civil war in Yemen now leads to direct missile strikes on Saudi oil installations. In this regard, Pakistan also had the option of intervening but this could not be done due to war on terror and other issues in the region. Pakistan, while playing a moderate role, preferred to stay away from this fire and also called on its rivals to put an end to this war.
After the Iranian Shia revolution and the fall of the monarchy, Iran emerged as a new country with extremist tendencies and blunt stance. More so in terms of past bitter experiences and sanctions, Iran has stabilized her Russia and China Relations in the form of military and economic investment and resist the United States and other powerful empires. The Iranian economy is still mired in tight sanctions. Saudi Arabia is also not behind Iran in this race. There are Gulf and Middle East Saudi friends’ countries which accept the Saudi influence and the strategy. In this regard the hand of Saudi friendship now extends to Israel. In addition, the United States is Saudi Arabia's deepest and strongest friend, standing with the Arab monarchy for decades. The Shah of Iran was leading the country towards modernity but religious scholar Khomeini overthrew the monarchy and established an Islamic government based on the Anti-United States and Israel. The United States and Saudi Arabia setup Iraq to counter growing Iranian influence, which led to the shape of a terrible war. Iran was affected by the war, but Saudi Arabia's victory did not last long when the 9/11 incident took place and the jihadists were found connected with Saudi Arabia, and Saudi Arabia could not ignore. Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi's assassination in Turkey has exposed Saudi Arabia's Iranian-style actions and embarrassed the Saudi establishment.
Prince Mohammad bin Salman began buying modern weapons as he expanded his trade with the United States and stabilized his relationship. Saudi Arabia is America's largest trading partner. MBS inclination towards the United States and Israel has shifted Saudi foreign policy and change is inevitable. Its effects have also been felt in Pakistan in addition to the Islamic countries in the region.
The Iranian nuclear program is a major obstacle for both the United States and Saudi Arabia. The US President Donald Trump moved no stone unturned and withdrew from the Nuclear Deal. This further plunged the Iranian economy. But now an optimistic atmosphere is about to be created by Joe Biden. It will push the Iranian economy out of sanctions. Iranian top nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh has also been hunted in this war for supremacy in the Islamic region. Iran blames Saudi Arabia and Israel for this huge loss.
Pakistan is reluctant to be a party to this race. It is the requirement of both time and intellect. Islamabad has always emphasized peace, tranquility and mediation which is the only viable solution to the region's unrest and war environment. Both sides wanted to side with Pakistan several times and continued to strive to launch several of their networks inside Pakistan. Iran and Saudi proxy war also engulfed Pakistan. Shia-Sunni riots and sectarian killings kept happening but those did not turn the country towards complete extremism. Many forces have been found at the forefront of spreading sectarian division and intolerance but they are dying on their own. This traditional war continues and continues to take on new forms.
