The Saudi Position on Mohammad Khatami’s Assumption of Power in Iran in 1997

Abstract

Abstract:

This research examines the Saudi position following Mohammad Khatami’s accession to the presidency of the Islamic Republic of Iran in 1997, within a regional context marked by tension in Saudi–Iranian relations during the 1980s and the early 1990s, as a result of ideological, political, and security disagreements between the two countries. Khatami’s election, given his reformist discourse and his call for a “Dialogue of Civilizations,” represented a relative turning point in Iranian foreign policy, which was reflected in the nature of Saudi interaction with Tehran.

The research concludes that the Saudi position on Mohammad Khatami’s assumption of power was characterized by positive caution and political pragmatism. Riyadh indirectly welcomed the shift in Iranian discourse, particularly with regard to calls for improving relations with neighboring states and respecting the principle of non-interference in internal affairs. At the same time, it sought to invest in this shift in order to achieve a degree of regional stability, while maintaining strategic caution toward the structure of the Iranian regime and its long-term policies.