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

The Shah's close alignment with the United States, a cornerstone of his foreign policy, was generally viewed favorably by Saudi Arabia, which also maintained a strong strategic partnership with Washington. This shared Western orientation provided a framework for cooperation on various regional and international issues. Both nations were seen as key pillars of American security architecture in the Middle East, a role that facilitated communication and, at times, joint initiatives aimed at countering perceived threats to regional stability.