Webinar The Future of Iran - Gulf Cooperation Countries Relations: Saudi Perspectives A Webinar organised in the frame of the Middle East Directions Programme's Regional Security Initiative (RSI). Add to calendar 2021-05-31 16:00 2021-05-31 17:30 Europe/Rome The Future of Iran - Gulf Cooperation Countries Relations: Saudi Perspectives Outside EUI premises YYYY-MM-DD Print Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Send by email When 31 May 2021 16:00 - 17:30 CEST Where Outside EUI premises Organised by Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies MED: Middle East Directions Programme This webinar will shed light on Arab Gulf states’ perspective(s) on what their relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran should be and the possibility of building a common regional security architecture between the two sides of the Gulf. Iran is at the centre of the geopolitical turbulence in the Middle East. Tehran’s use of proxies in the Middle East, especially Lebanese Hezbollah and Shiite militias in Iraq and Syria, is part of its pursuit of influence in the region and its attempt to define itself as an indispensable power. Iran suffers from military weaknesses due to its outdated air force and navy, which were built during the late Pahlavi period. What is perceived by Riyadh as the main Iranian threat is essentially Iran’s asymmetrical responses and the use of proxies to extend Tehran’s influence in the Arab world. In this context, what are the consequences for Iran-GCC relations of the implementation of a new Iran policy by the Biden administration? GCC-Iran relations are also developing in the context of the normalisation process (al Ula-GCC agreement) between Qatar and the GCC. Scientific Organiser(s): Luigi Narbone (School of Transnational Governance & Middle East Directions Programme, EUI) Chair(s): Luigi Narbone (School of Transnational Governance & Middle East Directions Programme, EUI) Speaker(s): Dr. Mohammed Alsulami (Rasanah: International Institute for Iranian Studies) Moderator(s): Prof. Clément Therme (Advanced Studies in Social Sciences - EHESS)