Why does Saudi Arabia hate Iran?

Saudi Arabia is known for its hatred of Iran. Saudi Arabia is the center of Sunni Islam, whereas Iran is the center of the rival Shia Islam. Iran is a Russian ally, which is another reason for Saudi Arabia to hate Iran, Pravda.Ru says. In addition, there is a third reason that explains Saudi Arabia's aversion to Iran, and there are not many people who have an idea about it.

More than any other single factor, the Iranian Revolution helped to coalesce the security concerns of Saudi Arabia and the other monarchies in the Gulf region.As the largest Arab monarchy, Saudi Arabia was in a position to lead the others toward cooperative efforts. The impact of the Iranian Revolution on Saudi Arabia was manifold. The revolution destroyed the most powerful monarchy in the Gulf area.

It was the second revolution to send shock waves throughout the Gulf region, the first being the revolution in Iraq that destroyed the monarchy in 1958. The Iraqi revolution had been followed by deteriorating relations between Riyadh and Baghdad, when the Baathist regime tried to subvert the Gulf monarchies. The Iranian example, however, appeared more menacing. The balance of forces seemed to have changed further against the monarchical regimes in the region because Iran, like Iraq, replaced the monarchy with a republic. Whatever course the new Iranian republic took, its very existence would threaten Saudi Arabia and other Gulf monarchies.

In other words, the Saudi government hates Iran because it is a republic, while Saudi Arabia and the other Gulf states are monarchies.

Read article on the Russian version of Pravda.Ru