Iranian diplomacy towards the Arab Gulf states after the first Gulf War until 2004

The issue of Iranian-Arab relations in general and relations with the Arab Gulf states in particular has always been one of the important and sensitive matters that many writers and historians avoid addressing with a degree of objectivity, rationality, and accuracy in reporting and documenting events. Numerous scientific and academic studies on relations with the Arab Gulf states confront us, yet some, or rather many, of these studies, unfortunately, lack objectivity in addressing many of the outstanding issues between Iran and the Arab Gulf states. In this research, we will briefly address patterns of Iranian policy towards the Arab Gulf states in an objectively scientific and accurate manner, free from tension and bias towards either side. Addressing these patterns requires a significant review of sources, data, documents, and press articles, with deep analysis and scrutiny of some political speeches issued by both sides, attempting to understand the underlying messages within those speeches and statements. Our research will rely on a collection of scientific sources and official documents that we have reviewed, and through which we will try to derive some concepts that have shaped the foundations of Iranian strategy towards the Arab Gulf states since the outbreak of the Iranian Islamic Revolution, and the subsequent dangerous repercussions that have affected the security of the Gulf region and the broader Middle East.