Last month, President Barack Obama convened a special summit at Camp David with Saudi Arabia and its Persian Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) partners to begin a new phase of relationship.

The relations between Tehran and Riyadh have been souring over the Saudi attack on Yemen. Now the question remains what would be the best solution to decrease tension between the two countries.

Mehran Kamrava, a professor of the Middle East Studies in George Town University of Doha, tells the Khabaronline that the two sides need to engage in a number of confidence-building measures.

Following is the text of the interview:

Q: What do you think about the increasing tension between Iran and Saudi Arabia? How long does it last?

A: These tensions have to do with Saudi apprehensions over U.S.-Iranian negotiations. Since the earliest days, Saudi Arabia and its neighbors in the Persian Gulf have capitalized on tensions between Iran and the United States and used it as a source of leverage. The fact that Iran and the U.S. are talking has made the Saudis very nervous. In this respect, Saudi Arabia and Israel share the same fears that better relations between the U.S. and Iran would come at the cost of their close relations with the U.S. This is a wrong assumption on their part.

As to how long these tensions will last, that's hard to tell. The war in Yemen has certainly complicated matters and had deepened the tensions.

Q: What is the best solution to the conflict between Iran and Saudi Arabia?

A: Iran and Saudi Arabia are the two main powers in the region, and tensions between them cannot continue indefinitely. In the past, both have pursued very pragmatic policies, and I believe their is awareness in Tehran of the need to reduce the tensions with Saudi Arabia. I am sure there is a realization that dialogue is the best solution for reducing tensions.

Q: What would be the result of the Camp David meeting?
A: The Camp David summit is designed to reassure the Arab states of the Persian Gulf that the United States is not abandoning them and that the close security relationship between them and the U.S. will continue regardless of how the talks with Iran progress. A number of high-ranking U.S. officials have been saying that during their frequent visits to the region--Secretary of State John Kerry chief among them--but the White House decided that President Obama needed to give the reassurance himself and to allay the fears of GCC leaders.

Q: Some analysts argue that it is necessary that the U.S. act as a mediator between Tehran and Riyadh. What do you think?

A: I don't think that's likely. Regional actors like Qatar, Kuwait, and Turkey are in a much better position to do that; they have more in common with the two main actors, and their leaders and their motivations are more trusted by both Tehran and Riyadh than the leader of the U.S. and their motivations.

Q: What is your view of the future relationship between Tehran and Riyadh?

A: The relations have to improve and the tensions need to be reduced; that would be definitely to Iran's benefit. Dialogue and discussions are the best way to reduce the tensions. The two sides need to engage in a number of confidence-building measures. I think it would be very helpful for example if Iranian diplomats meet with their Saudi counterparts and reassure them that their fears of Iran are unfounded.

(Source: Khabaronline)


The relations (between Iran and Saudi Arabia) have to improve and the tensions need to be reduced; that would be definitely to Iran's benefit. Dialogue and discussions are the best way to reduce the tensions.