Abstract:

The Persian Gulf, due to its geostrategic position, vast oil and gas reserves, and role as a connective hub among three continents, has consistently been an arena of competition for global powers. As a center of wealth and energy, the region has attracted the attention of superpowers, making dominance over it a decisive factor in the global balance of power. The historical presence of powers such as Britain, the United States, and the Soviet Union, and their rivalry for influence in the Gulf littoral states—particularly Oman and Saudi Arabia—highlights the strategic importance of the region. This research aims to analyze the factors behind superpower competition in the Persian Gulf and its impact on international relations among regional countries, especially Oman and Saudi Arabia. The study employs a descriptive-analytical methodology, relying on library resources and historical documents. The main research question is: How has the competition among extra-regional powers influenced the relations between Oman and Saudi Arabia? The hypothesis posits that the intervention of great powers in regional disputes, particularly concerning the Buraimi Oasis and the Dhofar War, has strained Oman-Saudi relations.