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Security Council Haganum Model United Nations Gymnasium Haganum, The Hague Research Reports Security Council Reducing tensions between Saudi Arabia and Iran 4th, 5th and 6th of March 2016 Haganum Model United Nations 2016| 4th of March – 6th of March 2016 Forum: Security Council Issue: Reducing tensions between Saudi Arabia and Iran Student Officer: Noortje van Randwijk Position: Deputy President Introduction Rivalry between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has determined their relations on a diplomatic, commercial and cultural level for decades. A variety of factors form the basis of this complex issue. Very recently, the situation got worse rapidly as a result of the execution of Saudi- born prominent Shiite cleric Nimr al-Nimr in early January 2016. Nimr al-Nimr was suspected of terrorism by Saudi officials, however widely respected in Iran because of his outspoken advocacy for Shiite rights in Saudi Arabia. After Iranian protesters responded by violently attacking the Saudi embassy in Tehran, Saudi Arabia formally broke off diplomatic and commercial ties with Iran, with some of Saudi Arabia’s close allies, such as Bahrain, following its lead. This crisis has once again sharpened the hostility between Sunni and Shia Muslims in the Middle East, which is why further escalation could have great impact on safety and security in the region. Moreover, the provocations mean prospects for a diplomatic solution for the conflicts in Syria and Yemen are much more remote. Also worth noting is that a war between Iran and Saudi Arabia could affect worldwide oil prizes and trade. Definition of Key Terms Sunnism and Shiism A sharp divide between Sunni and Shiite Muslims exists in the Islamic world, which can be traced back to the death of Islam’s founder, the Prophet Muhammed, in 632. Sunnis, 80% of all Muslims, backed Abu Bakr, a close friend of the Prophet, to be the first Islamic caliph – the title given to the Prophet’s successors. However, the Shia claims that Muhammed had appointed his cousin Ali to be his rightful successor. The only Middle Eastern countries that are predominantly Shia are Iran, Iraq and Bahrain. Hajj 2 RESEARCH REPORTS Haganum Model United Nations 2016| 4th of March –6th of March 2016 The annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, is called the Hajj and is the most significant manifestation of Islamic faith. Undertaking the Hajj at least once in your life is a religious duty for Muslims. Millions of Muslims gather in Mecca during the Hajj every year to perform holy rituals. Iranian Revolution The Islamic Revolution in 1979 led by Ayatollah Khomeini, after which Iran became an anti-western theocracy. Iran wanted to spread its message over other Arab countries but failed to do so, which did result in the Iran-Iraq war in 1980. The revolution instigated hostility from neighbouring countries and caused Iran to become more and more isolated. Diplomatic relations According to the Free Dictionary, diplomatic relations mean “the art or practice of conducting international relations, as in negotiating alliances, treaties and agreements; the conduct of relations of one state with another by peaceful means.” General Overview Fundamental distrust and aversion from both sides form the basis of the ‘cold war’ between both powerful nations. Saudi Arabia as well as Iran pursues influence and dominance in the Islamic world, however each uphold a different interpretation of Islam. Although the conflict has more recently taken a religious turn, it originally resembles the competition between two regional powers that vie for regional dominance and view the other as a growing regional threat. The Shia-Sunni divide in the Middle East has only been of interest for a few decades, possibly as a result of western colonisation policies, however hardly caused any hostility between ethnic groups or countries before. In regional conflicts, both Iran and Saudi Arabia mainly support movements that share their strategic vision rather than their religious beliefs. This can be illustrated by the fact that, for example, Saudi Arabia financially supported Iraq, which is a predominantly Shiite country like Iran, during the Iran- Iraq war (1980-1988). A significant factor in this issue is both Saudi Arabia’s and Iran’s important role in OPEC (Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries), which is a partnership to, according to OPEC itself, “coordinate and unify the petroleum policies of its Member Countries and ensure the stabilisation of oil markets in order to secure an efficient, economic and regular supply of petroleum to consumers, a steady income to producers and a fair return on capital for those investing in the petroleum industry.” Also important to understand 3 RESEARCH REPORTS Haganum Model United Nations 2016| 4th of March – 6th of March 2016 this issue are the Iranian Revolution in 1979, the civil wars in Yemen and Syria and both countries’ relations with the United States and the west. 1979 Iranian Revolution Until the Iranian Islamic Revolution, the relationship between Saudi Arabia and Shah- monarchy Iran was rather friendly, despite differences in religious practices and Saudi Arabia’s concern about Iran’s modernisation and military dominance in the region. However, Iran’s pro-western modernisation, dictatorial regime and financial inequality fed a fast growing dissatisfied internal opposition. This eventually induced the anti-western theocratic Iranian Revolution in 1979, led by ayatollah Khomeini, after which Shiite Iran started to openly criticize the Sunni Saudi regime. Although Saudi Arabia remained amicably at first, they cut relations with Iran in 1987, after Khomeini called Saudis “vile and ungodly, piercing the hearts of Muslims from the back, representing western interests rather than Islam”, and also because of its concern about Iran’s desire to expand its Shiite revolution within the Gulf Region. In 1991, relations were restored, but the hostile tone was set. RELIGION in Saudi Arabia and Iran Iran was founded in an anti-western Shiite Revolution and is based on the principle that Islamic Jurists should have custodianship over all Muslims, including their government. Saudi Arabia is a Wahhabi Sunni Islamic kingdom, remaining conservative as an absolute monarchy (which is considered ‘unislamic’ by Iran) under Sharia law. A Shia minority in Saudi Arabia has complained about institutional discrimination against them. Mecca and Medina, two of the traditional holy cities in the religion of Islam, are located in Saudi Arabia and are visited by Muslims all over the world during the annual pilgrimage (‘Hajj’) period. A number of deadly incidents that have deteriorated Saudi-Iranian relations have taken place during these periods, the two most notorious ones being the 1987 Hajj Mecca massacre, in which 402 protesting pilgrims, most of them Iranian, died after they clashed with Saudi security forces; and the more recent 2015 Mina Stampede with an estimated death toll of 2411, including 464 Iranians. After this last incident, Saudi Arabia was blamed by Iran for not adhering to safety regulations. The disaster constituted another recent sting in the countries’ relationship. RELATIONS with the United States and the West Traditionally, Saudi Arabia has been the United States’ closest Arab ally in the Middle East since the 1940s. This close relation is largely based on common interests in terms of counter-terrorism and the United States’ dependence on Saudi oil. 4 RESEARCH REPORTS Haganum Model United Nations 2016| 4th of March –6th of March 2016 Iran and the United States used to be allies; however relations have been hostile ever since the anti-western Iranian Revolution in 1979 and as a result of Iran’s resistance against Israel. In 2002 it was revealed that Iran was working on a clandestine nuclear program, after which the US, the United Nations and the European Union, imposed sanctions on Iran. Finally, an historic nuclear agreement between Iran and a group of world powers was made in July 2015. In early 2016, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) announced that Tehran had met its obligations and therefore sanctions were lifted. Saudi opposition to the lifting of sanctions and the nuclear deal, fearing that this would strengthen Iran’s economy and dominant position on the region, has caused more tensions towards Iran and uncertainty about the Iranian-American alliance. These newly established diplomatic relations may eventually be the start of a powerful alliance between the US and Iran. Although this reconciliation does not necessarily have to come at the expense of Saudi-American relations, it does enlarge Saudi-Arabia’s fear that the West might eventually abandon its traditional Arab allies. An important factor in this distrust is Iran's competitive position regarding its oil reserves that are now more available for the rest of the world, which would limit western dependence on Saudi oil. INVOLVEMENT in Yemeni and Syrian conflicts Iran and Saudi Arabia are involved in opposite sides of the civil wars raging through Yemen and Syria. Their involvement in these wars has greatly affected the rivalry towards each other, and their current state of hostility makes prospects for diplomatic and peaceful solutions, that seemed promising so far, seem much more remote. The Yemeni Civil War A severe armed conflict between Shiite Houthis and the predominantly Sunni government of President Hadi has been raging through Saudi Arabia’s direct neighbour, Yemen, since 2014. Saudi Arabia eventually intervened, leading a coalition of Arab countries supporting President Hadi, while Iran is allegedly supporting the Shiite rebels. In December 2015 all parties involved declared a ceasefire for the third time, however in January 2016 the Saudi coalition resumed bombing, possibly partially in response to the increased tensions with Iran. The Syrian Civil War Many major powers are involved in the complex Syrian Civil War. Although it is commonly agreed that the militant Islamic groups, including ISIS, pose an enormous global threat and must be defeated, some powers are not sure whether to support or oppose president Bashar al-Assad.
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