Research Article

IRAN AND THE ARAB STATES: CONFLICT AND COOPERATION IN THE CONTEXT OF REGIONAL INSTABILITY

Volume: 7 Number: 3 July 30, 2025

IRAN AND THE ARAB STATES: CONFLICT AND COOPERATION IN THE CONTEXT OF REGIONAL INSTABILITY

Abstract

This article examines the evolving political relationship between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Gulf Arab states in the context of regional instability and global multipolarity. Focusing on the period from 2011 to 2025, the study analyzes the structural drivers of conflict and cooperation, including sectarian divisions, geopolitical rivalries, and strategic realignments. Special attention is given to Iran’s influence in Iraq, Syria, and Yemen through proxy actors, as well as its confrontation with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. The research also explores the role of external powers – namely, the United States, China, and Russia – in reshaping the regional order and evaluates the impact of initiatives such as the “Shiite Crescent” and China’s Belt and Road. Methodologically, the study adopts a qualitative approach combining geopolitical and institutional analysis. The findings reveal a cyclical pattern of confrontation and pragmatic engagement, driven by internal regime dynamics and global power shifts. The article concludes by outlining possible future scenarios for Iran–Arab relations in the Persian Gulf and beyond.

Keywords

Ethical Statement

This study did not require approval from an ethics committee as it did not involve human participants, animals, or sensitive personal data. All data used in this research were obtained from publicly available sources.

References

  1. Aljarwan, M. K. J. A. (2020). The strategy of the Islamic Republic of Iran’s foreign policy in the Middle East following the “Arab Spring” [Master’s thesis, Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia].
  2. Calvo, F. C. (2023). Understanding the Iran-Saudi Arabia rivalry: The evolution of bilateral relations, regional security implications and US influence (1960–2018) [Unpublished master’s thesis, University of Padua]. https://thesis.unipd.it/handle/20.500.12608/77447
  3. Cheremnykh, I. (2017). Iran and Arab countries: Cooperation or confrontation? Russian International Affairs Council. https://russiancouncil.ru/blogs/NSO_MGIMO/iran-i-arabskie-strany-sotrudnichestvo-ili-protivostoyanie/
  4. Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran. (n.d.). Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran: Full text. Guardian Council of the Constitution. https://www.shora-gc.ir/en/news/87/constitution-of-the-islamic-republic-of-iranfull-text
  5. Cordesman, A. H., & Toukan, A. (2022). Iran and the Gulf military balance. Center for Strategic and International Studies. https://www.csis.org/analysis/iran-and-gulf-military-balance
  6. Doix, V. (2017). Le facteur chiite dans la politique étrangère de l’Iran. La revue géopolitique. https://www.diploweb.com/Le-facteur-chiite-dans-la-politique-etrangere-de-l-Iran.html
  7. Ehteshami, A., & Hinnebusch, R. (2024). The Arab world and Iran: Power, politics and the dynamics of regional order. Journal of Middle Eastern Studies, 60(2), 189–211. https://doi.org/10.1080/00263206.2024.2337713
  8. Esfandiary, D. (2021). Changing security dynamics in the Persian Gulf: The case of the United Arab Emirates [Unpublished doctoral dissertation, King’s College London].

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Politics in International Relations

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Arsylan Berdaliyev * This is me
0009-0006-1571-514X
Kazakhstan

Zhuldyz Turekulova This is me
0000-0002-2461-2488
Kazakhstan

Publication Date

July 30, 2025

Submission Date

March 12, 2025

Acceptance Date

May 26, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2025 Volume: 7 Number: 3

APA
Berdaliyev, A., Turekulova, Z., & Muminov, N. (2025). IRAN AND THE ARAB STATES: CONFLICT AND COOPERATION IN THE CONTEXT OF REGIONAL INSTABILITY. Eurasian Research Journal, 7(3), 267-283. https://izlik.org/JA25ZS82GS
AMA
1.Berdaliyev A, Turekulova Z, Muminov N. IRAN AND THE ARAB STATES: CONFLICT AND COOPERATION IN THE CONTEXT OF REGIONAL INSTABILITY. ERJ. 2025;7(3):267-283. https://izlik.org/JA25ZS82GS
Chicago
Berdaliyev, Arsylan, Zhuldyz Turekulova, and Nurlan Muminov. 2025. “IRAN AND THE ARAB STATES: CONFLICT AND COOPERATION IN THE CONTEXT OF REGIONAL INSTABILITY”. Eurasian Research Journal 7 (3): 267-83. https://izlik.org/JA25ZS82GS.
EndNote
Berdaliyev A, Turekulova Z, Muminov N (July 1, 2025) IRAN AND THE ARAB STATES: CONFLICT AND COOPERATION IN THE CONTEXT OF REGIONAL INSTABILITY. Eurasian Research Journal 7 3 267–283.
IEEE
[1]A. Berdaliyev, Z. Turekulova, and N. Muminov, “IRAN AND THE ARAB STATES: CONFLICT AND COOPERATION IN THE CONTEXT OF REGIONAL INSTABILITY”, ERJ, vol. 7, no. 3, pp. 267–283, July 2025, [Online]. Available: https://izlik.org/JA25ZS82GS
ISNAD
Berdaliyev, Arsylan - Turekulova, Zhuldyz - Muminov, Nurlan. “IRAN AND THE ARAB STATES: CONFLICT AND COOPERATION IN THE CONTEXT OF REGIONAL INSTABILITY”. Eurasian Research Journal 7/3 (July 1, 2025): 267-283. https://izlik.org/JA25ZS82GS.
JAMA
1.Berdaliyev A, Turekulova Z, Muminov N. IRAN AND THE ARAB STATES: CONFLICT AND COOPERATION IN THE CONTEXT OF REGIONAL INSTABILITY. ERJ. 2025;7:267–283.
MLA
Berdaliyev, Arsylan, et al. “IRAN AND THE ARAB STATES: CONFLICT AND COOPERATION IN THE CONTEXT OF REGIONAL INSTABILITY”. Eurasian Research Journal, vol. 7, no. 3, July 2025, pp. 267-83, https://izlik.org/JA25ZS82GS.
Vancouver
1.Arsylan Berdaliyev, Zhuldyz Turekulova, Nurlan Muminov. IRAN AND THE ARAB STATES: CONFLICT AND COOPERATION IN THE CONTEXT OF REGIONAL INSTABILITY. ERJ [Internet]. 2025 Jul. 1;7(3):267-83. Available from: https://izlik.org/JA25ZS82GS

Tel: +7 (727) 308 06 05
Fax: +7 (727) 338 43 33
E-mail: erj@eurasian-research.org