From Security Governance to Geopolitical Rivalry: Iran-GCC Confrontation in the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean

Abstract

:This article aims to address the aspects of conflict between Iran and the GCC starting from the geographical location, focusing on the factors that influence the acquisition of power by different state actors in this maritime sphere. The purpose of the article is to uncover the significant factors that directly and indirectly affect the distribution of influence between Iran and the GCC countries in this strategic marine area through following different sub-goals that deal with the main elements regarding security, political and economic conditions within every country in that region, as well as among the various regional and international powers. The analysis reveals that the interests of the GCC in this strategic maritime outweighs the interests of Iran. In the meantime, Saudi Arabia and UAE consider this area a high security threat region, while Iran sees it as one of the multiple security axes that are associated with its interests. The security risks that threaten the Arab Gulf states because of the new political and economic relationship with Yemen due to the war, in addition to the declared and latent maneuvers of world powers from outside the region either to besiege the Gulf axis or to initiate alliances with the Gulf states, signify without doubt the strong future influence of this geographical spot for the GCC and the possibilities of conflict escalation between Iran and GCC.