The Quest for Regional Dominance: U.S. and Iranian Strategies in the Gulf Countries

Abstract

The strategic importance of the Gulf region in international politics has not decreased since the region hosts large oil reserves, important waterways and is of geopolitical significance. Competition between the United States and Iran has had an important effect on the political and security environment of the Gulf countries since the Iranian Revolution in 1979. The aim of this article is to discuss the strategic rivalry between the United States and Iran in the context of their political, military, economic and ideological goals in the Gulf region. The United States is trying to preserve its dominance in the region by means of military alliances, securing energy supplies, and strategic ties with the monarchies in the Gulf. By contrast, Iran seeks to wield its own ideology, resort to proxy war, use its own military strength and resist western intervention to expand its own regional influence. The study is qualitative and analytical in nature, using historical and contemporary materials such as academic books, journal articles, policy reports and official documents. The results show that the old rivalry between the USA and Iran has made the region of the Gulf more unstable, more conflicts over the use of proxy, deeper sectarian divisions, and more militarization in the region. The Iraq, Lebanon, Syria and Yemen wars are now significant flashpoints of an indirect struggle between both powers. In addition, economic sanctions, maritime conflicts and evolving geopolitical dynamics are taking their toll on the regional power balance. The study finds that establishing sustainable peace and security in the Gulf necessitates the use of diplomatic negotiation, regional cooperation, collective security, and conflict-resolution, by regional and international actors.