The Impact of Geopolitical Determinants on Iranian-Gulf Relations: 2011 - 2018

This study analyzes the influence of geopolitical determinants on Iranian-Gulf relations. This relation has begun before 1980, but it was clearly affected by Arab Spring, more specifically, after 2011. Therefore, the current study investigates how the geopolitical factors could affect the Iranian-Gulf relations. In other words, it aims to answer the questions highlighted by the researcher. In addition, it aims to see the factors that were studied in this relation, so the literature was critically reviewed in order to achieve this goal. The results show that the relations between Gulf States and Iran are not same some countries have changed its relations with Iran from being negative relations to have warm and cooperative relation. In addition, this study confirms that the two main players in such relation is Saudi Arabia and Iran due to various reasons not only one specific reason, but affected by the two countries leaderships. This study recommends more studies in order to go deeply into these relations.