International
Tehran Matters
The legacy of the 1979 Iranian Revolution continues to loom large over the Arabian Peninsula.
The overthrow of the Iranian monarchy in 1979 and the establishment of the Islamic Republic under Ayatollah Khomeini remains one of the most seismic shifts in the geopolitics of the Middle East. This revolution did not just mark the end of the Shah’s rule; it fundamentally altered the region’s balance of power and injected a new ideological dimension into Middle Eastern politics. The shockwaves of the revolution rippled across the Arabian Peninsula, posing an existential challenge to the conservative, monarchic regimes of the Gulf. Tehran’s vision of a regional order driven by a distinct Islamic ideology positioned it as a formidable challenger in the eyes of Gulf leaders, setting the stage for a geopolitical struggle that continues to shape the political landscape of the Middle East.
Before delving into Tehran’s geopolitical ambitions, it is critical to understand the profound transformation that occurred within Iran in 1979. The revolution was not just a political upheaval but a cultural and ideological metamorphosis that sought to overturn centuries of monarchy and secularism. The Shah of Iran, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, was deposed after decades of autocratic rule backed by Western powers, particularly the United States. His regime, characterized by rapid modernization, secularism, and close ties with the West, stood in stark contrast to the vision championed by Ayatollah Khomeini and his followers.
Khomeini’s Islamic Republic was founded on the principles of Wilayat al-Faqih—the Guardianship of the Islamic Jurist—a doctrine that positioned a religious leader at the helm of state affairs, intertwining religion and politics. This ideology represented a break from Iran’s past and a challenge to the status quo in the wider region. The new Iranian leadership sought to inspire and export its revolutionary ideals beyond its borders, viewing the monarchy-based regimes of the Arabian Peninsula as incompatible with its vision of an Islamic order.
The early years of the Islamic Republic were marked by a vigorous attempt to export the revolution. This was not merely rhetorical but grounded in realpolitik and ideological conviction. Khomeini’s regime saw the Gulf monarchies—Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, and others—as relics of a Western-dominated, un-Islamic order. These regimes were perceived as puppet states, propped up by American and European interests, maintaining stability at the expense of genuine Islamic governance.
The Shia-Sunni divide sharpened the ideological rift between Tehran and the Gulf regimes. Iran, as the largest Shia-majority state, positioned itself as the protector of Shia communities in a region dominated by Sunni rulers. This religious dimension added fuel to Tehran’s challenge to the legitimacy of Gulf monarchies, many of which had marginalized their Shia populations. For Tehran, empowering Shia communities and movements was a matter of solidarity and a geopolitical strategy to extend its regional influence.
The Gulf monarchies quickly perceived the ideological threat posed by post-revolutionary Iran. The Iranian revolution served as a wake-up call for these regimes, pushing them to seek security guarantees from external powers while simultaneously tightening their internal grip. The establishment of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) in 1981 was a direct response to the Iranian threat. The GCC served as a defensive alliance aimed at collective security and political coordination among the Gulf states.
Saudi Arabia, as the most influential Gulf monarchy and the spiritual leader of Sunni Islam, viewed Iran’s revolutionary zeal as a challenge to its religious and political authority. Riyadh began counterbalancing Tehran’s influence by bolstering its relationships with the West, particularly the United States. The Carter Doctrine of 1980, which declared that any attempt by a foreign power to gain control of the Persian Gulf would be met with American military force, was primarily motivated by fears of Iran’s regional ambitions. The American military presence in the Gulf—seen by Tehran as evidence of imperialism—was welcomed by Gulf monarchies as a necessary bulwark against Iran’s expansionist ideology.
Perhaps the most significant geopolitical event in the aftermath of the Iranian Revolution was the Iran-Iraq War (1980-1988). Saddam Hussein’s Iraq, with tacit support from Gulf monarchies and Western powers, launched an invasion of Iran, hoping to capitalize on the post-revolutionary chaos and curb Iranian influence. The war, which lasted nearly a decade, was a brutal conflict that drained both nations of resources and resulted in massive casualties. However, the war also showcased the Gulf regimes’ willingness to back any regional actor that could serve as a counterweight to Iran’s revolutionary fervor.
The Gulf states, particularly Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, provided financial support to Iraq, viewing it as a necessary proxy to contain Iran. Yet the war failed to dislodge the Islamic Republic or to dampen its ideological commitment to reshape the Middle East. Instead, the conflict hardened Iran’s resolve, fostering a narrative of resistance and martyrdom that became central to its national identity. For the Gulf regimes, the war was a sobering reminder of Iran’s resilience and its potential to destabilize the region.
Tehran’s quest to reorder the Middle East, driven by a unique blend of ideology, religion, and geopolitics, remains a central challenge for the Gulf monarchies.
The decades following the Iran-Iraq War witnessed an intensification of proxy conflicts and sectarian tensions, with Iran and Saudi Arabia often supporting opposing sides. The Iranian revolution set the stage for a geopolitical struggle that extended far beyond Iran’s borders, with Tehran supporting groups and movements aligned with its revolutionary ethos. The Lebanese Hezbollah, a Shia militant and political organization, emerged as a powerful proxy of Iranian influence, challenging Israel and Western interests in the Levant while bolstering Iran’s regional reach.
This pattern of proxy warfare became a hallmark of Iranian foreign policy. In Bahrain, Iran’s perceived support for Shia dissent against the Sunni monarchy raised alarms in Riyadh and Manama, reinforcing the narrative of an existential threat posed by Tehran. In Yemen, the rise of the Houthi movement—a Shia militia with alleged Iranian backing—triggered a Saudi-led military intervention aimed at preventing what was seen as an Iranian foothold on the Arabian Peninsula. The competition between Tehran and Riyadh became a zero-sum game, each viewing the other’s gains as a direct threat to its security and regional dominance.
The early 21st century saw another dimension of the Tehran challenge: Iran’s nuclear ambitions. The Gulf regimes, particularly Saudi Arabia, feared that a nuclear-armed Iran would not only tip the balance of power but also enable Tehran to assert itself as the dominant force in the Middle East. The United States, a key ally of the Gulf states, shared these concerns, leading to international efforts to curb Iran’s nuclear program through sanctions and diplomatic negotiations.
The 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), commonly known as the Iran Nuclear Deal, was a significant moment in this context. While the agreement temporarily eased tensions and curbed Iran’s nuclear capabilities, it did not address the underlying ideological and geopolitical rivalry. Saudi Arabia and its allies remained skeptical, fearing that the lifting of sanctions would embolden Iran’s regional activities, allowing it to channel more resources into supporting proxies and expanding its influence.
The Arab Spring of 2011 was another turning point in the geopolitical landscape of the Middle East, offering both challenges and opportunities for Iran and the Gulf monarchies. The wave of popular uprisings across the region unsettled many regimes, leading to the toppling of long-standing dictators and the eruption of civil wars. Tehran viewed the chaos as an opportunity to expand its influence, particularly in Syria, where it provided crucial support to the Assad regime, and in Iraq, where it capitalized on the power vacuum to extend its political and military reach.
For the Gulf regimes, the Arab Spring reminded them of their vulnerability to popular discontent, leading them to clamp down on internal dissent and increase their security cooperation with Western powers. The Saudi-led intervention in Bahrain in 2011, aimed at quelling a largely Shia uprising, was seen as a preemptive move to prevent what Riyadh perceived as Iranian meddling in its backyard. The post-Arab Spring era solidified the view among Gulf rulers that Iran’s ideological influence and military capabilities constituted a long-term existential challenge.
As the 21st century progresses, Tehran’s challenge remains a focal point of Middle Eastern geopolitics. The Gulf regimes continue to perceive Iran as an existential threat, not merely because of its military capabilities but due to its ideological influence and its ability to inspire Shia communities across the region. The rise of new regional actors, the shifting alliances with global powers, and the ever-evolving nature of proxy conflicts have made the geopolitical landscape more complex than ever.
The Abraham Accords, which saw several Gulf states normalize relations with Israel, were partly driven by a shared desire to counterbalance Iranian influence. These agreements clearly indicated that the Gulf regimes are willing to shift traditional alliances and explore new partnerships to contain what they see as Tehran’s regional ambitions.
The legacy of the 1979 Iranian Revolution continues to loom large over the Arabian Peninsula. Tehran’s quest to reorder the Middle East, driven by a unique blend of ideology, religion, and geopolitics, remains a central challenge for the Gulf monarchies.
The writer is a historian and a critical analyst. He can be reached at arslan9h@gmail.com
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Muhammad Arslan Qadeer’s Tehran Matters is an insightful and masterfully articulated exploration of the enduring impact of the 1979 Iranian Revolution on the Middle East’s geopolitical dynamics. The article’s meticulous breakdown of complex historical, ideological, and political threads highlights the author’s deep understanding of the subject matter. Qadeer’s ability to weave together decades of history into a coherent narrative is nothing short of remarkable, offering readers a nuanced perspective on how the Iranian Revolution continues to shape the Arabian Peninsula. His analysis transcends mere historical recounting, providing a lens to interpret current geopolitical tensions and ideological struggles in the region.
One of the article’s most compelling aspects is its ability to illuminate the practical implications of Tehran’s ideological ambitions for the Gulf monarchies. By delving into the principles of Wilayat al-Faqih and the ideological exportation of the revolution, Qadeer effectively demonstrates how Iran’s vision reshaped the region’s political landscape. The connections drawn between these ideologies and real-world conflicts, such as the Iran-Iraq War and proxy battles in Yemen and Syria, are both insightful and thought-provoking. Furthermore, Qadeer’s emphasis on the religious dimension of the Shia-Sunni divide adds depth to the narrative, illustrating how ideological and geopolitical factors intertwine to create enduring regional challenges.
This article is not just an academic or theoretical exercise; its relevance to contemporary Middle Eastern politics is strikingly evident. From the creation of the Gulf Cooperation Council to the Abraham Accords, Qadeer skillfully ties historical events to modern responses, emphasizing the article’s applicability to understanding ongoing conflicts and alliances. By shedding light on the Gulf states’ evolving strategies to counter Tehran’s influence, such as forging new partnerships with Israel, Qadeer provides a roadmap for interpreting future developments in the region. His comprehensive analysis makes Tehran Matters a superb contribution to Middle Eastern studies, offering readers both an enriching historical perspective and practical insights into the region’s ongoing geopolitical struggles.
The writer has rightly reflected the geopolitical & regionals developments with a clear background of events since 1979.
Various alliances in the region over the years has been truly described .