US-IRAN NUCLEAR DEAL: POWER DYNAMICS FOR IRAN AND SAUDI ARABIA

The US-Iran nuclear deal is an outcome of international efforts to overcome an enduring chaotic situation that had seriously been affecting peace and security not only in the Middle Eastern region but also the world. The US-Iran nuclear deal earned the credit of being an exceptional diplomatic achievement on part of the Obama administration; however, on the other hand, this deal has also raised serious concerns among the US allies in the Middle Eastern region. Middle Eastern Arab countries, especially Saudi Arabia perceived the US-Iran nuclear deal as a threat to the regional security and prevailing balance of power. To be more specific, Saudi Arabia has serious concerns over this deal as it considers the US-Iran nuclear deal will unfold many opportunities for Iran including economic, political and military. The alleged proxies sponsorship by Iran in the Middle Eastern region, particularly the Hezbollah and other Shiite militant groups, pose threat to the Saudi Arabia and its allies' interests. This studies is an attempt to investigate the effect of the US-Iran nuclear deal on regional status-quo and the prevalent balance of power in the region. This study also investigates any possibility for future conflict or peace process and confrontation between Iran and the Saudi Arabia following the US-Iran nuclear deal.