Published: 11:48 AM, 04 September 2026
Iran and Saudi Arabia Must Reduce Their Gaps to Prevent External Intervention in Middle East
The differences between Iran and Saudi Arabia are substantial. Their governments have different political systems, strategic priorities and regional alliances. Sectarian considerations have also contributed to mutual suspicion, although the rivalry cannot be explained solely in religious terms. Daily Sabah
The Middle East has for decades remained one of the world's most strategically important yet politically fragile regions. Conflicts, rivalries, foreign interventions and competing geopolitical interests have repeatedly undermined regional stability. Against this background, improving relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia is not merely a bilateral necessity; it is potentially one of the most important steps toward building a more independent, peaceful and stable Middle East.
Iran and Saudi Arabia represent two major centres of political, economic and religious influence in the region. Their rivalry has affected developments far beyond their borders, particularly in Yemen, Syria, Iraq and Lebanon. When tensions between Tehran and Riyadh rise, regional conflicts can become more complicated and provide opportunities for outside powers to expand their influence. Conversely, meaningful dialogue between the two countries could help reduce tensions and create space for locally driven solutions.
The differences between Iran and Saudi Arabia are substantial. Their governments have different political systems, strategic priorities and regional alliances. Sectarian considerations have also contributed to mutual suspicion, although the rivalry cannot be explained solely in religious terms. Competition for regional influence, security concerns, economic interests and relationships with global powers have all played important roles.
Yet differences do not necessarily have to produce permanent confrontation. Diplomacy offers an alternative. The restoration of diplomatic relations between Tehran and Riyadh in 2023 demonstrated that even deeply divided regional powers can reopen channels of communication. Such engagement should be viewed as a beginning rather than an endpoint.
The two countries have a strong incentive to prevent further escalation. The Middle East has already suffered enormous human and economic costs from prolonged conflicts. Civilian populations have paid the greatest price.
while infrastructure, education systems, healthcare facilities and national economies have been severely damaged in several countries.
External intervention becomes easier when regional states remain divided. Major international powers naturally pursue their own strategic interests, including energy security, military influence, arms sales and control of important trade routes. Regional rivalries can therefore create circumstances in which outside actors gain greater leverage. A more cooperative regional environment would reduce the scope for such interference and allow Middle Eastern countries to address their problems through regional diplomacy.
Iran and Saudi Arabia can begin by institutionalizing regular diplomatic consultations. Instead of waiting for crises to emerge, senior officials could maintain continuous dialogue on security, energy, maritime affairs and regional conflicts. Confidence-building measures would be particularly valuable because misunderstandings can rapidly escalate in an already volatile environment.
Yemen offers an important example. The devastating conflict there has demonstrated how local disputes can become entangled with broader regional rivalry. Greater Iranian-Saudi understanding could contribute to a durable political settlement that respects Yemen's sovereignty and gives its people greater control over their own future.
Similarly, cooperation over regional security could help reduce tensions in the Gulf. The waters surrounding the Arabian Peninsula are vital to global energy supplies and international trade. Any major military confrontation in the region could have consequences far beyond the Middle East, affecting energy prices, shipping and the global economy.
Economic cooperation could provide another foundation for reconciliation. Iran and Saudi Arabia possess substantial economic resources and occupy strategically important positions. Increased trade, investment and people-to-people exchanges could gradually replace suspicion with practical mutual interests. Economic interdependence does not eliminate political disagreements, but it can make confrontation more costly and cooperation more attractive.
Religious and cultural sensitivities should also be handled with greater responsibility. Sunni and Shia communities have lived alongside one another across the Middle East for centuries. Political disagreements should not be allowed to deepen sectarian hostility among ordinary people. Both Tehran and Riyadh have an opportunity to demonstrate that differences in religious interpretation need not become justification for geopolitical conflict.
For Bangladesh and other countries of the Global South, peace in the Middle East has particular importance. Bangladesh maintains close economic and human links with the region, while millions of Bangladeshi workers depend on employment opportunities in Gulf countries. Instability in the Middle East can therefore affect migrant workers, remittances, energy prices and international trade.
Ultimately, neither Iran nor Saudi Arabia can resolve every conflict in the Middle East by itself. However, their cooperation could create a significantly better regional environment. They should respect each other's sovereignty, refrain from destabilizing actions, support diplomatic settlements and encourage other regional countries to participate in dialogue.
The Middle East does not need another cycle of confrontation. It needs a political culture in which regional powers recognize that security cannot be achieved permanently at one another's expense. Iran and Saudi Arabia have profound disagreements, but they also share an interest in stability, economic development and regional security.
Bridging their differences will require patience, political courage and sustained diplomacy. If Tehran and Riyadh can transform rivalry into cautious cooperation, they could help ensure that the region's future is determined increasingly by its own people rather than by competing external powers. A peaceful and cooperative Middle East would not only benefit its own citizens; it would contribute significantly to global peace, economic stability and human security.
