There are several factors that should be considered. The most important of them are:

1- Iran is the country leading the Shia community within the Muslim community and Saudi Arabia is the country leading the Sunni community within the same community. These two main branches of the Islam have a strong religious confrontation since very long time ago, and the confrontation still exists today.

2- As the leader of these two different Muslim communities, Iran and Saudi Arabia wishes to be the dominant forces in the Middle East, and this is the reason for the strong confrontation between these two countries.

3- Saudi Arabia is one of the most relevant allied of the USA in the Middle East, and Iran is the strongest enemy of the USA in the same region.

4- The position of both countries against Israel is different.  Iran has a strong opposition to the existence of Israel in the region, while Saudi Arabia has a more tolerant position against the existence of this country.

The only way that these two countries could contribute to the stability in the Middle East is if both countries find a solution to their differences and stop supporting other countries with the same position. Taking into account the current situation in the region this is not going to happen any time soon.

What is this "Iran's possession of nuclear weapons" claim about, Tatyana? Is there really evidence of that? Not to the best of my knowledge. 

There is no nuclear weapons in Iran. In addition, the JCPOA adopted by Iran, Russia, China, France, the UK, the USA, Germany and the EU in 2015 put all Iranian nuclear facilities under international inspections in order to ensure the peaceful uses of these installations and nuclear material in the hand of the Iranian government. 

Dear Tatyana,

Yes, you can be sure, that Iran has no nuclear weapon in their military arsenals, because all nuclear facilities in Iran are under strict surveillance by hundreds of international inspectors of the IAEA, not Iranian inspectors, that are in the country checking all activities carried out in these installations and controlling the use of nuclear material indispensable to produce a nuclear bomb. 

In addition, to built a bomb you need to carry out certain activities and produce fissile material in certain quantity that Iran does not have not only now even in the past.

The USA government does not gave US$150 billion to Iran to halt its nuclear program. The agreement reached is to unfreeze the Iran own deposits in the international bank system that were freeze by the UN Security Council set of sanction on the Iran nuclear program.

Jorge,

All the four reasons you gave are true but these is true from a long time. The destabilization of Irak by the US invasion has shifted the power from the Sunni northern population to the Shia majority of the south and so has created a de factor alliance with Iran.  The rise of ISIS was the result of the Sunny Iraky funded by the Saudi and armed by the US milatary supplied.  The is a confrontation between the sunny and shia in Yemen and they are supported respectively by the Saudis and Iran.  The level of Saudis military budget is skyrocketting being 3th after China (87 billion US$) and this greatly benefit to the US military industry.  Syria was also destabilized by the US and their Saudis and Turkish allied.  They did not like the secular nationalist independent Syrian government allied with Russia.  So the ISIS allied, and Jihadists funded by Saudis and Turkish did the dirty job while the western power pretend to be fighting ISIS from the air while ISIS is funded and their main allied the Saudis.  The pretence is to hide the destabilizing job.  The UN prevented them to bomb the Syrian government and so they do it through funding of the religious extremists.  

Louis, There are no contradictions between my points and the situation you describe in your comment.This is part of the confrontation between Iran and Saudi Arabia due to religious reasons.

Jorge,

What is the primary reasons of the current confrontation around two religious coalitions is the US destabilization of the middle east.  The US have nothing to do with the Sunny Shia question but have a lot to do with the current confrontation.  It is very convenient to look at these event as religious confrontation; it make us forget who are pulling the strings.

There has been a civilizational clash between the Persians and the Arabs that is symbolized in Saudi-Iranian relationship today. 

Iran is an imminent threat to the Kingdom Saudi Arabia (K.S.A.) for the following reasons and facts:

1- KSA is the historical leader of the Gulf States, Iran is threatening that; 

2- Iran is trying to destabilize the Gulf States by expanding the Sheat's base; 

3- Economically, Iran is the main competitor of KSA in oil production;

4- Iran threatens the national security KSA and the other Gulf States by occupying two Emirati islands and stirring violence in Bahrain.

5- Iran plots against KSA to take away Hajj supervision of Holy Sites from the Kingdom.

6- Militarily, Iran, as a potential nuclear power, is viewed as a major military threat to KSA.  

7- Diplomatically, historical rivalry between the two regional powers over Gulf hegemony and Middle-East influence.  

الي الاخ ماجد

شكرا على اجابتك

لاكن عندي بعض ملاحظات اود ان اطرحها و اعراف اجابتك

اولا: بالنسبة للروية التاريخية: لم يمر الا عشرات السنين على استقلال بعض ادول الخليج الفارسي اذن من اين اتت هذه القيادة؟ في سبيل المثال مملكة بحرين و الامارت و اخري مثلهما و لاتنسى ايضا لن توجد روية موحدة و جامعة حول دور السعودية في الجزيرة العربية في سبيل المثال روية سلطنة عمان التي مناهضة للسياسة و الرؤية السعودية للمنطقة لهذا السبب لا نستطيع ان نتحدث حول وجود قيادة او زعامة سعودية لكل دوول الخليج الفارسي-ايضا اذا اردنا ان نلقي نظرة تاريخية الي المنطقة لا نرى شي سوا التاريخ و الحضارة الايرانية السائدة

ثانيا بالنسبة لتصدير الفوضى: هل في وثائق واضحة غير ما يكرره الاعلام و الوزير الخارجية السعودي حول تدخل ايران في دول مجلس الخليج الايراني؟ اخي العزيز لا تضع جانب الانصاف جنبا‘ اود ان اسئلك كيف تعاملت دول الخليج الفارسي مع الثورة التي اطاحت بالشاه و اي من هذه الدول التزمت بعدم الانحياز في الحرب الايرانية-العراقية؟ الشعب الايراني ما شاهد الا مساندة صدام حسين من قبل الدول العربية باجملها غير عمان و سوريا.  الموضوع الاخر هو ثورة ايران مناهضة للغرب و الولايات المتحدة، ماذا تفعل انت عندما ترى جارك يدعوا عدوك الي جوارك؟ اخي العزيز ماجد، الدول العربية رحبت بالحضور و التواجد الامريكي و استقبلت قواعد عسكرية عديدة و هذا الاسلوب الذي سبب العداوة بين الجانبين و ليس ما يقال حول تصدير الثورة ام الفوضي. ايران تعرف تماما ان لاتوجد جماعات كبيرة من الشيعة و في افضل قراة من السنة، لا توجد جماعة و حزب عربي يساند ايران في المنطقة. عندما ننظر خلافا الي التاريخ نرى ان حركة حماس ايضا بعد الثورات العربية تباعدت عن ايران الشيعية و تقربت من تركيا السنية.

ثالثا بالنسبة للاقتصاد اود ان اسئلك هل يمكن تكوين نوع من نظام شراكة و مساهمة او نظام حصص يتقاسم السوق بين مصدري النفط؟

رابعا هل تعرف فترة من الزمن كانت فيها الجزر المزعومة تحت سيادة اماراتية؟

خامسا ايران فقدت في السنة الماضية 480 من الزائرين لبيت الله الحرام في السعودية نتيجة سوء ادارة حرمين الشريفين. للدول الاسلامية لها الحق في  الرقابة او مساهمة في ادارة مناسك الحج اذا لم تتمكن السعودية في حسن ادارتها.

سادسا: اخي المحقق، ايران دولة شيعية مع اغلبية 90بالمئة لاكن هي محاصرة من قبل جوار سني يفوق عدده علي 400 مليون. ايران باتت مهددة من حركة طالبان و داعش في افغانستان، الحركة الوهابية و الجماعات السلفية في باكستان و بلوشستان، الحركات الراديكالية في أسيا الوسطا و القوقاز، نزاعات سياسية-مذهبية مع الاتراك و العداء المتبادل بينها و اسرائيل و الولايات المتحدة من جانب أخر. دولة مهددة لهذه الدرجة بالطبع اذا ارادت الحياة عليها ان تقوي قدراتها الدفاعية. باالقياس مع الدول العربية، مزانية ايران العسكرية متواضعة و منخفضة جدا

سابعا: السيادة و الهجمونية في منطقة الخليج الفارسي اود ان اسئلك، المملكة حسب اي موشرات و ثوابت و مرتكزات القوة تريد ان تتنافس مع ايران في المنطقة؟ ايران 80 مليون نسمة و المملكة 30مليون، ايران حاربت النظام البعثي في العراق ثمانية سنوات و لديها قريب عن 40 سن خبرة من المواجهة مع اسرائيل، الولايات المتحدة، العقوبات. و استطاعت رغم كل هذه الظروف تخرج بأمان من كل هذه الازمات.

و بالنهاية انا ارى ان السبب الوحيد الذي شدد و شجع نوع من النزاع بين السعودية و ايران في السنين الاخيرة اولا هو الاتفاق النووي مع مجموعة 5+1 الذي هو كان كضربة قاتلة للرؤية السعودية التي على مدي السنين كانت تطالب الولايات المتحدة بمهاجمة ايران. اليوم اصبحت المملكة تشعر بأنها بقيت وحيدة و بالطبع هذا امر غيرمتوقع و مقبول لدولة كل حياتها كانت مدعومة من قبل الولايات المتحدة و اروبا.

Louis, the religious confrontation between the two main branches of the Islam is much  older than the intervention of the USA in the Middle East conflict.

Something to consider is the Iranian expansionism in the Arab Middle East. They are slowly increasing influence in countries around Saudi Arabia. 

1.  Iran has made overtures to Middle Eastern countries that border Saudi Arabia in an effort to develop closer ties with tehm and influence political events.  If I remember right it was 2009 when Iran offered to provide low cost oil supplies to Jordan for increased access.  Jordan rejected the offer because of the proximity to Saudi Arabia and Israel and not wanting to damage relations with neighbors.

2.  In 2007 President Saleh was adamant that Iran was backing the Houthi rebellion in Yemen.  The Houthis inhabit the Sadaa region of Yemen, which borders Saudi Arabia.  The US was skeptical, butnow we know that Iranian backing is a fact. 

3.  Iraq. This is the big news item and there is no question about the Iranian influence there.

4.  Iranian engagement in the Gaza Strip and Syria, while not countries directly bordering Saudi Arabia, are of concern, sinc it destabilizes the area and makes it more dangerous for the monarchy by radicalizing the Sunni populations.

5.  Oman, while not overly influenced by Iran, has a small Shia population and maintains cordial relations, even to the point of having annual competitions, military to military, in Koranic recitations.  Oman also provides a conduit for US engagement with Iran, so it is not that bad, but the Sultan is getting old and some worry about what will happen when he dies.  There are procedures in place, but it is still a wild card.

For your other questions, Jihadism has to be defined more clearly.  Jihad, in itself, is not bad and each person must struggle with how they define it.  If you are using the term to mean violent Jihad which is spreading across Syria and Iraq and elsewhere in the form of Daesh, then Saudi Arabia and to an extent Iran, must take some credit.  Saudi Arabia has been very effective in spreading Wahabbism, which at its base is a fundamentalist form of Islam, but any fundamentalist form or religion lends itself to radicalization, and this is what has happened.  Iran also plays a role, even though they are not Sunni and definitely not Wahabbi.  Part of the base of the radical Jihadism, gaining first prominence in Sayed Qutb and the Muslim Brotherhood, is the demonization of the West.  In order for radicalization ot occur there has to be an acceptance of that premise.  Iran contributes to the general feeling of the cause by also demonizig the West.

So, how can they contribute to stability in the Middle East?  There must be, first, diplomatic efforts to come to terms with the realities on the ground and a compromise.

Part of why Saudi Arabia is so concerned about Iranian influence is their Eastern province, where the oil is located, is heavily populated by Shia who previously tried to rebel.  Diplomatic agreements on limits can help.  Second, the leaders of the religious communities must come together in an effort to heal the rift in Islam.  This is a huge task, but it can start by them acknowledging what they have in common, then working on how to accept those things which are differences.  If they can work together, the stability will follow.  This is just my opinion.

الي الأخ/ سيد

شكرا على ردكم الكريم, هناك بعض النقاط التي اتفهمها ولكن هناك حقائق علي الأرض أنا متأكد أنك تعيها جيدا

يسعدني دائما التواصل مع شخصية محترمة مثلكم,,,

أطيب التحيات

If we go back in the 1970's, The US and the west and the oil companies were sustaining the week saudis and gulf states and for that were having two main military allied: Iran with the shaw who had been put in place trhough a US military coup, and Israel who had been created by a US UN pushed resolution.  Against that coalition was all other arab nations that had secular anti-colonial governments and the most military powerfull one was Egypt, Irak and Syria.  Then the local US tug, the shaw fell in 1979 in a popular islamic revolution.  Sadam became the alternate tug for protecting the weak states holding the oil and the Saudis and the US provide him military resources and he attacked Iran but he was military defeated.  Then the weak koweit was drilling oil in the border with Irak and there was a conflict on this and he received the secret go ahead of the US ambassador that it was OK for him to invade Koweit.  It was a trap.  The next day of the invasion, it was easy for the US to shoot down the Iraky tanks in the desert.  He had become a treat to the Saudis and the US, and he was trapped.  Then the US had decided to themself be the gardian of the gulf states and the Saudis and they establish military bases there at the Saudis finantial expenses.  Then the Saudis started arming because in the long run they would have to protect military themself, i.e. the oil.  For that to be possible all other possible power had to be destabilized.  Egypt military had been submitted with the Camp David accords.  Irak had been hurt in the first gulf state but was totally partition and destabilized in the second gulf state.  Lybia was destabilized and finally the last remnant of local resistance: syria was destabilized and completely destroyed.  Now that potential resistance has been destroyed, it is now possible for a weak state as Saudis to become the leader in the region but the last obstacle are the coalition around Iran.  

The close alliance between the Saudis and the US and the use of islamist extremist for destabilizing had been created in Afganistan for the destabilization of the Russian back regime in Kabul.  In the hay days, Bin Ladin was an public heros in Saudi Arabia and was collaborating with the US secret services.  The basic destabilizing strategy had worked very well but since 9/11 the open alliance with the islamic extremists had to be hidden while maintaining it and this is the destabilizing recipy that has been used in the middle east since.

سماحة الاستاذ الدكتور ماجد

اشكرك جزيل الشكر

و اعتذر منك اذا كان اطلت الكلام.

اخيكم

سيدعبدالعظيم الموسوي

ِDear Dr. Hoffman, Dear Dr.Brassard, Dear Dr. Maged, Dear Dr.Pedraza, Dear Dr. Yamin, Dear Mrs.Talamas, Dear Dr. Salloum, Dear Dr.Stanton,

Thank you for your answers and helpful points of view.

Best Regards

Azim

You are welcome!

Additional and critical factor is that Saudi Arabia is within US orbit.  US orbit functions on basis of ethnic and racial and religious divisions in order to reach its goal of destabilization and control.

The real challenge is how mange a difficult relation between a pro-status quo and a pro-revisionist power. 

Firstly, I think it abundantly clear that many people in both Iran and Saudi Arabia, especially the young, want more friendliness, tolerance, and open-mindedness in their respective countries, so envision future generations managing to get along better, because these are powerful positive values.

Secondly, with all due respect for the Royal Family of the KSA, of whom many have handsomely sponsored numerous goodwill projects, educational programs, etc., to encourage positive multicultural relations, I believe that the Iranian people, especially the young and the present leadership, have been illustrating to the world that they want to play a positive role in international relations.

Both of these great countries have academics, religious and political leaders, as well as Royals and commoners alike -- people from all walks of life! -- who KNOW that the path forward should be the one that embraces humanity by taking good care of it (each other and the earth itself) with kindness and decency, that forgiveness and love are desperately needed more in the region, and everywhere.

The world is facing many challenges today, mainly due to hate, selfishness, and greed. E.g., We see a great country stomping around the world misbehaving, and then wondering why so many of its citizens kill each other. Violence breeds more violence, and war breeds more war. Iran and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia should put their best brains to the task of learning how to get along with one another. If that can be done, great peaceful world leadership springs from the region.

Off the soapbox for now.

Dear Dr. Stanton

We should note that in both Saudi Arabia and Iran, the national identity, composed of two layers(Levels). A layer of ethnic, and religious layer. In the older generation, religious layer is an infrastructure of identity. But in the younger generation, ethnic layers is an infrastructure of identity. And in both generations, the identity infrastructure is conflicting with each other. Iran and Saudi Arabia, according to the religious identity (Wahhabi-Shiite), and ethnic identity (Arab-Persian) are conflicting with each other. 

I would like to add that at the non-state level, where people are considered, internarriage among these religious and ethnic groups was not uncommon.  But differences serve as political "fault" lines manipulated by states and world powers.

Other core factors that make Saudi Arabia think or consider Iran as a threat are:

1-Iran’s Islamic Revolution in 1979 that motivated Saudi Arabia to promote the fundamentalist Salafist force of Sunni Islam so as to counter Iran’s Shi‘a ideology. 

2- The collapse of Saddam Hussein’s Ba‘ath (pro-Sunni) regime in 2003.  Prior to 2003, the Ba‘ath regime dominated the government apparatus in Iraq, marginalizing the Shi‘a. However, the after 2003,  Shi‘a is dominating the government as the expense of the Sunni.

3-The spread of terrorism and violence by both Sunni and Shi‘i militant groups (along with global forces) destabilizing the region and weakening the state.    

I am certain you are correct, Dr. El-Aswad, that these are among the core factors influencing conflictual behavior in the region. With great regret, I see the hand of my own beloved USA (having exercised a very ill-conceived foreign policy for years) in the background of the imbroglio.

In my view, Chalmers Johnson's great trilogy, the several recent books by Andrew Bacevich, the article "The Origins of the Permanent War Economy" by Thomas K. Duncan and Christopher J. Coyne, and much other careful scholarship suggests that some good intentions have gone seriously awry.

I agree with Dr. Stanton regarding US (and UK) role which he describes kindly as ill-conceived.   There is no poor or accidental aspect to US-UK policy toward the Middle East.  It is basically and simply destabliize systematically the "civilization centers" by regime change and nation building.  It is a failed policy but the neo-con liberals continue this policy without any modification.  The Middle East needs to counter this policy using a "smart" approach.  In my estimation President Sisi is the closest to this model.

Dr. Elguindi, can you please explain the President Sisi "smart" model?

Dr. Elguindi, can you please explain the President Sisi "smart" model?

What I mean is:  he "supports" or is neutral to all sides (as for example, US & Russia)  but focuses on Egyptian national interest primarily

In regard to the Saudi Vs Iranian politics:

It is very sad to see both countries at odd with each other, all Muslims worship from the same holy book the Koran regardless whether they are Sunni or Shia .

It is about time for both countries politicians and leaders to be honest with their people and stop the blood shed for their self interests and stop future damages to both countries. Iran will never beat Saudis and Saudis alone without the help of the rest of the 90% Sunni Islam will never beat Iran.

The same five pillars of Islam have not changed for over 14 centuries, and they will never change.

Iran and Saudi if they have any respect for the founder of Islam itself the prophet Mohammad (PBUH) needs to establish brotherly peace between them for many generations to come because when a Muslim stands in prayer position  and kneel to Allah (God) . Allah does not distinguish whether he/she is a Sunni or a Shia.

Thanks Rechard

Richard,

What you say is true. Reform will be difficult. From day one of Wahhabism  , when the house of saud decided in 1720 to support Mohammad ibn Abd-al-Wahhab, the Wahhabism Jihad against Shia was born.  

Why do you ask?

Answered this question a hundred times, and the answer is as old as the world. There are already many studies book responding to this question, plus dozens of scientific articles.

Differences in Islam - Shiite Iran and Sunni Saudi Arabia.

The battle for dominance in the region.

The struggle for power in the country - by finding an external enemy, the threat of the outside easier to govern the country.

Different alliances and allies.

Different attitudes to Israel and the United States.

This is the classic domestic and foreign policy and geopolitical situation, further enhanced by religious differences.

I'm afraid that these differences will not be able to alleviate the current governments in Iran and Saudi Arabia.

A further interference of the two countries in the countries of the region lead to political instability and support the war.

It is primarily geopolitics--leadership race in the region and sharing of energy resources--that is triggering tension between these two local giants, apart from religious sectarianism. It is further fueled by extra-regional powers and regional powers' power politics. Selling of arms--military-industrial complex-- is another consideration. Unresolved Palestine issue is another --overriding--trigger. Islam does not permit such divisions presumably on such  flimsy ground provided , hopefully, they adhere to the edicts of the Koran. Radicalization and killing of innocent civilians--to struggle for justice is allowed- are prohibited in Islam. 

Perhaps the book Calidad Mafinezam "Iran And Its Place Among Nations" can help to further discuss these issues minutiae.

Religion or Islam is centered on a vision that Muslim communities are united, whether actually, ideally or virtually, in one universal community (ummah) guided by the Holly Book of the Qura’n and the Prophet’s tradition.  The ummah constitutes a significant component of the religious worldview or framework through which Muslims identify themselves and view the world or other people with whom they interact.  Put differently, the ummah, a trans-regional communal identity, is a binding element of individual Muslims in various geographic locations. This sense of Muslim communal identity or ummah creates a unique collective sentiment that goes beyond any economic, political, ethnic, racial or sectarian division.  

The grave problem, however, is that certain countries or groups of people use religion in terms of ideology. Ideology here indicates asymmetrical relations of economic and political orientations seeking power and domination. This is applicable to both religious and secular organizations or countries that manipulate religion for political domination.

شکرا سماحه الدکتور

There are plenty of nuclear weapons in Israel.  Nobody is worried!  Why this double standards?

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jan/15/truth-israels-secret-nuclear-arsenal

Meanwhile, western governments have played along with the policy of "opacity" by avoiding all mention of the issue. In 2009, when a veteran Washington reporter, Helen Thomas, asked Barack Obama in the first month of his presidency if he knew of any country in the Middle East with nuclear weapons, he dodged the trapdoor by saying only that he did not wish to "speculate".!!!!!!

The subject of Iran's political project is more acceptable because it reflects the true Islamic project, while the Saudi project reflects an extreme radical approach and therefore the royal family fears its domination.

I see why Saudi Arabia is hostile to Iran because of sectarian motives because the Saudis are afraid of Iran spreading Shi'ism in areas under the influence of Saudi Arabia, and thus would be a threat to its interests in those areas

اخی عباس الزبيدي شكرا على اجابتك

اذکر فی یوم جاء احد اصدقايي من مصر لعندي في ايران و فی فترة حضوره هنا طلب من عندي ان انسق له كي يقابل احد المراجع الشيعية في ايران..مع انه انا ما كنت ارغب بما طلب مني لاكن استجبت و استطاع صديقي ان يقابل احد المراجع..فی نهایة اللقاء اهدء او الافضل ان نقول قدم المرجع كتاب دعاء يسما ب"الصحيفة السجادية" لصديقي..عندما خرجنا من بيت المرجع قال لي صديقي المصري: هل يتخيل المرجع انه بهذا الكتاب انا ساصبح شيعي؟!! قلت له و ما رايك انت يا فلان؟ قال لي انا ولدت سني و سأموت سني...

اخی عباس الزبیدی اقصد ان الشیعی شیعی و السنی سنی...عامة الناس في ايران لايهمهم ان جارهم شيعي او سني لاكن يهمهم ان جارهم لايكون وهابي...و القضیة مع الوهابية و السلفية هي قضية التكفير و لیس موضوع شیعة ام سنة.

اقصد مما قلت ان لانحن فی ایران نرغب فی تغییر و تحول مذهب الاخرین و لا آلاخرین متساهیلن مع ایران لهذه الدرجه  کی یجی شخص او جماعه من ایران و یغییر مذهبهم من السنه الی الشیعه...الکل الیوم یعرف ان انصارالله فی الیمن زیود تابعین للمذهب الزیدی و لا علاقه لهم بالشیعه 

الکل یعرف ان الخلاف  فی العراق بین الاغلبیه الشیعیه و الاقلیه السنیه و لایختلف الامر فی غیاب ایران ام حضورها فی العراق کما راینا السید مقتدی  یتخذ مواضع ضد ایران و رییس الوزراء حیدر العبادی یتفاوض مع الرییس الامریکی ترامب حول الحد من الحضور الایراني فی العراق... و ایضا الکل یعرف ان الازمه السوریه مع احترامی لکل اخوانی السوریین بالنسبه لایران لیست قضیه سنی و علوی ام شیعه لانه السوریون هم یعرفوا تماما ان العلویون اناس بسطاء دراویش حالهم حال الصوفیه فی لیبیا و مصر و لایتابعوا مشروع سیاسی خاص فی بلدهم. المهم لایران ان لا تتحول سوریا الی مامن لمهاجمه الشیعه فی العراق و لبنان و تتعاون مع اسراییل علی حساب ایران و الشعوب المسلمه الاخری...

I think Saudi Arabia is afraid of the spread of the Shiite sect, which is more acceptable and moderate in the Arab countries, which means the end of Wahhabism.

Iranians have history and culture. Although they follow ISLAM, but on that land Aryans, Zoroastrians etc. flourished.  One day Iranian will supersede arabia, that the fear of Saudi Arabia. It is also located at strategic location and people are organised for the country.