The year 1979 and the logic of the conflict between Riyadh and Tehran

Introduction

The rivalry between Saudi Arabia and Iran since 1979 is key to understanding the contemporary Middle East. This article analyzes how three events—the Iranian Revolution, the siege of Mecca, and the invasion of Afghanistan—defined this conflict. It is not merely a Sunni-Shiite dispute, but a fundamental struggle for hegemony and the legitimacy of power. We will trace its evolution from proxy wars, through the geo-economics of oil and sanctions, to its impact on citizens' daily lives and forms of resistance.

The Triple Shock of 1979 and the Dispute Over Legitimate Authority

The year 1979 marked a turning point. The Iranian Revolution, the siege of the Grand Mosque in Mecca, and the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan created a new order. Tehran established a theocracy for export, while Riyadh, in response, solidified the alliance between the throne and the clergy, purifying the public sphere. Afghanistan became a testing ground for transnational jihad.

At the heart of the conflict lies a dispute over the source of authority. Iran promotes the doctrine of wilāyat al-faqīh, or the rule of the supreme legal authority, whose power derives from divine order. Saudi Arabia legitimizes itself as the custodian of the holy sites, based on the historical pact between the House of Saud and Wahhabi scholars. This is a fundamental struggle over the definition of sovereignty in the Islamic world.

Proxy Wars and the Geoeconomics of Conflict

The rivalry escalated into proxy wars. In Lebanon, Iran built the power of Hezbollah; in Iraq, it supported Shiite militias; and in Syria, it defended the Assad regime. Riyadh responded by funding Sunni elites and rebels. Yemen became a tragic symbol of the confrontation. The conflict also has a geoeconomic dimension: control over maritime routes (the Strait of Hormuz), OPEC+ oil policy, and survival strategies. Saudi Arabia is diversifying its economy through Vision 2030, while Iran circumvents sanctions via its shadow economy. Major powers are involved: the USA as Riyadh's ally, and China as a key client for both sides.

Social Control and Quiet Resistance

Grand politics translates into daily life. Both regimes use the state apparatus to discipline their societies—through morality police, censorship, and the education system. In response, micro-practices of resistance emerge: from removing headscarves in Tehran to bypassing internet blockades. In Iran, the female body has become a central battleground, and protests following Mahsa Amini's death struck at the foundations of the regime's legitimacy. Meanwhile, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman promotes a narrative of a return to moderate Islam. However, this is an authoritarian modernization, combining economic reforms with repression. Analysts like Kepel and Roy debate whether religion radicalizes rebellion, or if rebellion merely adopts religious colors.

Conclusion

Attempts to normalize relations between Riyadh and Tehran raise the question: is this a tactical maneuver in a game for influence, or a harbinger of real change? In a region where religion and oil form an inseparable nexus, it is difficult to distinguish the pursuit of peace from a strategy of domination. Perhaps true transformation will not come from palaces, but will emerge from the quiet resistance of individuals who daily challenge the limitations imposed upon them.

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