By Nadir Ali
Two powerful Islamic states have been precariously embroiled in a proxy war – Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) and the Islamic Republic of Iran; both are loggerheads and struggling to maintain its hegemony in the Middle Eastern (ME) region. Based on their Ideological discrepancy, both countries do not recognize each other due to their religious dichotomy. Religious scholars in both states are brainwashing their followers. Historically, Saudi Arabia is a birthplace of Islam and Saudis are following Wahhabism and the teachings of Ibn-Temmiya. It is a Sunni majority country whereas, Iran possesses the bulk of largely Shia Muslim state and mostly believes in Sufism and have evident magnetism for Shia youth.
Throughout history, the Middle East is one of the most complex regions in the world, the despotism of the USA in the ME has impeded the progress to make countries more porous and controversial indeed. Especially Iraq, Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, Yemen, and Palestine are besieged and persecuted by the US Factually. The involvement of the US in any state means the prevailing of chaos. The US incandescent excesses drove a wedge between Muslim countries.
Initially, the Iranian Revolution of (1979) was the largest flood in the history of world politics. The decades-old feud denominational sectarian war was exacerbated after the Iranian revolution. Interestingly, KSA is a strong ally of the US in the present scenario, whereas, the US has declared Iran as an embargo state. The role of American power in a globalized world is crucial to shaping this regional politics of oil competition. Oil played a pivotal role in the convergence of Saudi-Iran relations. The relations of KSA and Iran have oscillated from co-operation to conflict, sectarianism to regionalism. Currently, the inexorable and strained relations that are irreversibly flare-up between these two vital States and are going to be more deteriorating day by day, which could cause demure consequences in the near future. By the way, Instead of squandering and whopping, both states should realize that; they are beleaguered in religious extremism.
Hence in the fierce struggle for regional supremacy in the Middle East (ME), Pakistan has made great efforts to maintain an exquisite balance between KSA and Iran. Subsequently, Iran has won regional struggles in many ways; strategic competition has become increasingly fierce day after day. Saudi Arabia is desperately trying to contain Iran’s rising power while practicing military adventurism.
Recently, In September 2019, drone attacks on state-owned KSA’s Oil reserves caused the suspension of 5.7m barrels per day. Later on, after the drone attacks, the blame game was started. Saudi officials accused that Iran has been involved in these attacks, on the nail; Iranians are abdicated and disavow the Saudi’s official statements. Despite the continuous reports of the United Nations (UN) expert group shows that Tehran has provided substantial assistance to the “Houthi” in terms of technology and weapons, but Iran denies such allegations for providing arms smuggling to the “Houthi”. Meanwhile, Houthis has claimed the responsibility of the drone attacks.
Since the International powers are involved to play its role as mediators but failed to resolve the altercations and conflicts amid KSA and Iran. The greatest inspiration for the world’s forces inclusive Pakistan is normalizing the relations between both states. Peace in both states means peace in the whole Muslim Ummah. The grudging relationship between both states will dismay the entire Muslim in the globe and if war broke out in both Iran and Saudi, this will have a wide-going effect on the whole area, particularly in Iraq, Yemen, Syria, and Lebanon. Let us additionally not overlook the outcast emergency that has uprooted and influenced a huge number of individuals. On the off chance that things heighten, the areas will observe another disastrous humanitarian crisis.
Nonetheless, the involvement of Pakistan has barricaded the relations between KSA and Iran, and has covertly affected the US foreign policy. Therefore, the United States will never want Pakistan to repair its ties with Iran. This desire of the United States may exacerbate tensions between the two neighboring countries. Pakistan is of great value to the United States, KSA, and Iran. For the United States, Pakistan is a thoroughfare to mediate the Taliban and can act as a mediator in disputes between the United States and China. For KSA, Pakistan in labor and security lenses but for Iran, Pakistan will bring its competitors in the Middle East to the same page. Being important mediators for Iran, KSA and the US, Pakistan can play a positive role in prevailing peace between both Iran and KSA.
Disclaimer:
The views and opinions expressed in this article/Opinion/Comment are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Dispatch News Desk (DND). Assumptions made within the analysis are not reflective of the position of Dispatch News Desk.
