Unprecedented Alliances and Conflicts: Saudi Arabia’s Balanced Approach to Iran, Israel, and Middle East Geopolitics

The ongoing Gaza war has not deterred Saudi Arabia from maintaining its security pact with the USA and normalizing relations with Israel. Beneath the surface of the conflicts in the Middle East, tectonic shifts are taking place, creating new constellations in the region. According to Washington Post columnist and Middle East expert David Ignatius, Israel’s response to Iran’s massive attack in April demonstrated a balanced approach, indicating a new paradigm shift in how regional allies act together against common threats.

Israel’s understanding of its allies, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Jordan, in the fight against Iran represents a new shape in the Middle East. The common opposition to Iran and its allied militias has led to an emerging partnership between Israel and its former enemies in the region. However, Iran’s key interest at the moment is to prevent such a coalition from forming, as it would threaten Iran’s plans for regional dominance.

Iran has been using the Palestinian card to create pressure on authoritarian Arab monarchies aligning with the USA and Israel. The recent escalation in the Middle East, including the Gaza war, is seen as a way for Iran to undermine the emerging coalition against its regional power ambitions. Despite Tehran’s attempts, Saudi Arabia has continued talks with Washington, emphasizing its own security needs and shared interests with Israel in countering Iranian influence.

The conflicts in the Middle East are now part of a global confrontation between major powers like Russia and China on one hand and USA and Israel on another hand. Saudi Arabia strengthens ties with these superpowers while Tehran aligns closer with them too . The Middle East is becoming a key arena for competition between major powers which highlights the complexities and uncertainties shaping region’s future