رضا رحیمی

The Persian Gulf has long been a major geopolitical target of debate between Iran and Saudi Arabia, whose relations exert the greatest degree of influence over geopolitical affairs and proceedings of this region. In the course of the past decade, these long-standing relations sustained various political blemishes and tensions, the aftermath of which ushered in the withering of the region. Yet, current shifts in the status of Iran/Arabia relations bespeak of eases in such tensions, which in practical terms can significantly change the geopolitics of the Persian Gulf, promising improvements in the economics, security, and military standing of this region. In this light, the present study proceeds with an analysis of the key factors and influential drivers affecting the prospective geopolitics of the Persian Gulf, with an emphasis on relations between the two countries thereof. In terms of methodology, this study is an applied research employing data obtained via interviews with experts of the field. As evident from the findings, the most influential parameters affecting the geopolitics of the Persian Gulf include factors of trans-regional partners, authoritative powers, joint markets, maritime cooperation, oil and gas trades, arms races, intra-regional conflicts, currency relations, transit of goods and interventions by China. Taking into account such factors allows for a geopolitical convergence in the region.This future study regarding the sources of tension and  regional opportunities in the Persian Gulf, particularly from the perspective of constructive strategies in the relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia, benefits from the use of innovative research techniques..