De-securitisation and Pragmatism in the Persian Gulf: The Future of Saudi-Iranian Relations

Since 1979, relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran have oscillated periods of overt hostility apparent rapprochement, yet since 2003 the two engaged in a vitriolic competition that has spread across regional affairs, to devastating effect Lebanon, Syria, Bahrain, Iraq Yemen. Central much this are efforts securitise other eyes external audiences, discursively presenting rivalry language security. Yet despite their competing claims Islamic legitimacy leadership, there strong pragmatic reasons related political economic concerns for states engage with one another. Underpinning this, however, is need de-securitisation moves, reducing tensions through framing terms ‘normal’ politics rather than