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Bitter Rivals: Iran and Saudi Arabia, Part One (full documentary) | FRONTLINE

FRONTLINE PBS | Official・66 minutes read

The rivalry between Iran and Saudi Arabia for dominance in the Middle East and Muslim world has led to regional conflict, with both nations accusing each other of supporting extremism. The complex history of the two nations, from revolutions to wars, has shaped the current power dynamics in the Middle East.

Insights

  • The rivalry between Iran and Saudi Arabia is a struggle for dominance in the Middle East and Muslim world, rooted in historical tensions and differing ideologies, with Iran promoting Shia Islam and clerical rule while Saudi Arabia emphasizes conservative Sunni faith.
  • Saudi Arabia's significant financial investments in spreading Wahhabi ideas globally, particularly through funding mosques and schools, have shaped religious practices and social norms in countries like Pakistan, impacting legal systems and societal structures.
  • The conflicts in the Middle East, including the Iran-Iraq war and the rise of extremist groups like Hezbollah and Al Qaeda, have been influenced by the proxy struggles between Iran and Saudi Arabia, contributing to the region's complex geopolitical landscape and sectarian tensions.

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Recent questions

  • What is the main cause of the conflict between Iran and Saudi Arabia?

    The rivalry between Iran and Saudi Arabia stems from a power struggle for dominance in the Middle East and the Muslim world. Saudis accuse Iran of exporting revolution and being a hostile nation, while Iran claims Saudis support extremism. This conflict has escalated into a regional war, with both countries vying for leadership and influence in the region.

  • How did the Iranian Revolution impact the Middle East?

    The Iranian Revolution, led by Ayatollah Khomeini in 1979, shifted the Middle East towards Islam as a political force. It established Sharia law and clerical rule based on authority from God, challenging the existing power dynamics in the region. The revolution aimed to unite Shia and Sunni Muslims but was perceived as a Shia experiment by Iran's neighbors, leading to tensions with Saudi Arabia and other Sunni-majority countries.

  • What is the significance of Hezbollah in the Middle East?

    Hezbollah, a Shiite militant group supported by Iran, played a crucial role in the region's conflicts. Formed in Lebanon to resist Israeli occupation, Hezbollah grew into a powerful political party with a potent militia. Its ties to Iran are evident through shared ideology and allegiance to Iran's Supreme Leader. Hezbollah's success in forcing Israel's retreat marked a turning point in Arab military history, showcasing its influence and strength in the region.

  • How did the Iran-Iraq war impact Iran's foreign policy?

    The Iran-Iraq war, lasting eight years and claiming over a million lives, shaped Iran's foreign policy stance. Iran's economy and international standing suffered due to the conflict, with Ayatollah Khomeini reluctantly agreeing to a ceasefire in 1988. The war highlighted Iran's military capabilities and the use of unconventional weapons, impacting its relations with neighboring countries and the broader international community.

  • What led to the sectarian violence in Iraq post-Saddam Hussein's fall?

    After the fall of Saddam Hussein in 2003, Iraq experienced sectarian violence fueled by various factors. Bremer's de-Ba'athification and dissolution of the Iraqi army sparked violence and sectarian conflict, aiding radical Sunni extremists like Zarqawi. The bombing of the Al Askari Mosque by al Qaeda in Iraq led to severe sectarian violence, with Shia militias, supported by Iran, engaging in violent acts. Saudi Arabia and Iran further exacerbated the conflict by supporting Sunni and Shia factions in Iraq, leading to widespread unrest and instability in the country.

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Summary

00:00

Iran-Saudi Rivalry: Middle East Power Struggle

  • The chaos in the most war-torn region has escalated into a regional war between Iran and Saudi Arabia.
  • Saudis accuse Iran of being a hostile nation exporting revolution, while Iran claims Saudis support extremism.
  • The power struggle between Iran and Saudi Arabia is for dominance in the Middle East and Muslim world.
  • Over a million casualties in the Middle East have been Syrian, Iraqi, and Yemeni citizens.
  • The rivalry traces back to the Iranian Shia Revolution and the threat felt in Saudi Arabia.
  • Ayatollah Khomeini's revolution in Iran led to a rejection of Western influence and monarchy.
  • Iran's history includes exploitation by the West, especially in the oil industry.
  • The U.S. supported the Shah of Iran with weapons and training for secret police.
  • Khomeini's revolution in 1979 shifted the Middle East towards Islam as a political force.
  • The Iranian Revolution established Sharia law and clerical rule based on authority from God.

20:31

Shia-Sunni Divide and Saudi-Wahhabi Tensions

  • Shia imams are believed to be guided by God, leading followers on the right path.
  • Shia constitute around 12% of Muslims, splitting from Sunnis 1,400 years ago after Prophet Muhammad's death.
  • Sunnis believed leadership should go to Abu Bakr, while Shias advocate for Ali's succession.
  • Shias view Ali and his successors as infallible representatives of God.
  • Khomeini introduced velayat-e faqih, allowing a jurist to rule a state, which many Shia scholars opposed.
  • Khomeini's Islamic revolution aimed to unite Shia and Sunni Muslims, but was seen as a Shia experiment by Iran's neighbors.
  • Khomeini's revolution challenged Saudi Arabia's leadership in the Islamic world, leading to tensions.
  • Saudi Arabia's legitimacy stems from a pact with Wahhabi clerics, emphasizing a return to harsh, conservative faith.
  • The 1979 Grand Mosque attack in Mecca, led by Wahhabi extremists, prompted a crackdown on liberalization and modernization in Saudi Arabia.
  • The siege of Mecca resulted in Saudi Arabia embracing fundamentalist Sunni Islam, promoting stricter religious practices and social norms.

38:43

Saudi Arabia, Iran, and the Middle East

  • After 1979, Saudi Arabia faced internal zealots and the threat of Iran, leading to a significant investment in religious resources domestically and internationally to enhance legitimacy and counter the Iranian threat.
  • The King Faisal Mosque in Islamabad, funded by Saudi King Faisal, symbolized the strong Saudi-Pakistani relationship, with Saudi Arabia investing heavily in spreading Wahhabi ideas globally.
  • Over $100 billion was funneled by Saudi Arabia since the 1960s to fund mosques and religious schools worldwide, particularly in Pakistan, where the number of madrassas grew significantly, teaching conservative Wahhabi doctrines.
  • President Zia al Haq of Pakistan, supported by Saudi funding, Islamicized Pakistani society, introducing Sharia courts and punishments, transforming the legal and constitutional systems towards an Islamic framework.
  • The Carter Doctrine pledged U.S. defense of Pakistan and Saudi Arabia against Soviet expansion, leading to covert U.S. and Saudi funding of Afghan mujahedeen, with Pakistan's ISI selecting radical jihadist groups to support.
  • The Afghan war against the Soviets saw significant U.S. and Saudi funding, with the Saudis declaring it a jihad, encouraging thousands of Saudis to join the cause, including Osama bin Laden.
  • The mujahedeen succeeded in driving out the Soviets by 1989, leading to Pakistani-Saudi support for extremist Afghan mujahedeen, laying the foundation for groups like Al Qaeda and ISIS.
  • In Lebanon, Iran supported Shia fighters against Israeli occupation, leading to the formation of Hezbollah, with Iranian Revolutionary Guards recruiting and training Shia fighters to spread Iran's influence.
  • Hezbollah's establishment was marked by a tragic incident in 1983 during the Ashura festival in Nabatieh, where an Israeli convoy mistakenly entered the crowd, resulting in clashes and escalating tensions.
  • The attack on U.S. Marines and French soldiers in Lebanon in 1983, resulting in significant casualties, highlighted the growing conflict in the region, with Hezbollah gaining strength and support.

57:09

Hezbollah's Rise and Iran's Influence

  • The attacks on the Marines were attributed to Hezbollah acting under Iranian direction, marking the beginning of suicide bombings.
  • Over 100 people were killed in bombings in Lebanon in a year, increasing Hezbollah's followers.
  • Fundamentalist Shiite Muslims volunteered for suicide bombings against oppression.
  • The U.S. and Israel withdrew from Lebanon due to Hezbollah's attacks, leading to Israel's complete troop withdrawal.
  • Hezbollah's success in forcing Israel's retreat marked a significant turning point in Arab military history.
  • Hezbollah celebrates Liberation and Resistance Day annually, showcasing its growth as a political party with a powerful militia.
  • Hezbollah's ties to Iran are evident through shared ideology, naming conventions, and allegiance to Iran's Supreme Leader.
  • Iran's support transformed Hezbollah into a potent militia, with Hassan Nasrallah leading from undisclosed locations for security.
  • Iran's influence through Hezbollah extends beyond Lebanon, projecting power across the region.
  • The Iran-Iraq war shaped Iran's foreign policy stance, with Iran's military parade commemorating the conflict annually.

01:15:29

Iran-Iraq War: Chemical Weapons, Ceasefire, Fallout

  • Dead Iranian soldiers show no signs of conventional weapons, hinting at chemical weapon use.
  • American officials are accused of providing Saddam Hussein with technology for chemical weapons.
  • The Persian Gulf witnesses new attacks between Iran and Iraq amid ceasefire negotiations.
  • Khomeini agrees to a ceasefire in 1988, ending the eight-year Gulf War.
  • Iran insists on Iraq admitting responsibility for starting the war before accepting a ceasefire.
  • The war between Iran and Iraq claims over a million lives, making it the deadliest conflict post-World War II.
  • Iran's economy and international standing suffer due to the war, with a missed opportunity to end it in 1982.
  • Ayatollah Khomeini reluctantly agrees to a ceasefire due to Iran's dire situation.
  • The fall of Saddam Hussein in 2003 leads to Shia power rise in Iraq, reshaping the region's dynamics.
  • Bremer's de-Ba'athification and dissolution of the Iraqi army spark violence and sectarian conflict, aiding radical Sunni extremists like Zarqawi.

01:33:17

Sectarian Strife in Iraq: Sunni-Shia Conflict

  • Samarra, in central Iraq, was once the capital of the Sunni Abbasid dynasty, with the Great Mosque of Samarra being a significant structure.
  • The city of Samarra is predominantly Sunni but also holds importance as a Shia pilgrimage site.
  • In 2006, the bombing of the Al Askari Mosque by Zarqawi's al Qaeda in Iraq led to severe sectarian violence in Iraq.
  • Shia militias, supported by Iran, engaged in violent acts, including using power drills for murders, escalating the conflict.
  • Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps played a crucial role in supporting various Shia militias in Iraq.
  • Saudi Arabia and Iran engaged in a proxy struggle through supporting Sunni and Shia factions in Iraq, respectively.
  • Money from Gulf capitals, including Riyadh, flowed into Iraq to support Sunni insurgents fighting against Shia influence.
  • The execution of Saddam Hussein by the Shia-led government in Baghdad further fueled sectarian tensions and led to widespread protests.
  • The execution of Saddam Hussein inadvertently turned him into a Sunni hero, exacerbating sectarian divides and causing regret among those involved in the process.
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