Pre-Revolutionary Iran-Saudi Arabia Relations: A Complex Tapestry of Cooperation and Underlying Tensions

Cultural and religious differences also subtly shaped the relationship. The predominantly Sunni Wahhabi identity of Saudi Arabia contrasted with the Shia majority in Iran, although during the Shah's secular rule, this sectarian divide was less politically pronounced than it would become after the Revolution. Nevertheless, historical and theological distinctions existed, contributing to a sense of separate identities and occasionally manifesting in social and cultural exchanges. The management of the annual Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca, a matter of immense religious significance for both nations, sometimes presented logistical and diplomatic challenges that required careful negotiation.