Arms race in middle east: iran, Saudi arab and Israel

Introduction
Middle East, a region rich in energy resources is a very volatile region. Several wars
have been fought in this region, from interstate wars to intrastate wars and such as arab
Israeli wars, iran Iraq war, first and second gulf wars, US invasion of Iraq, and more
recently arab spring and the proxy wars between Iran and US SAUDI alliance. There
are three main regional powers in this area i.e. Saudi Arabia, Iran and Israel. The three
powers have been involved in competition for hegemony or military dominance and face
challenges to their dominance, threats to their regimes and existential threats. Based
on their threat perception these states have been highly involved in arms race. There
have been high defense budgets, military buildups, arms imports and manufacturing.
There is a chance of nuclear arms race with Israel already suspected of having nuclear
weapons, failure of JCPOA, and Saudi intentions of building nuclear reactors. In this
article we will study the threat perception and causes of arms race between these
countries.

IRAN

THREAT PERCEPTION

More than anything else, it is the survival of the Islamic Regime that dominates the
security perspective of present day Iran and protecting its regional interests and
providing support for allies of the axis of resistance. The following are the threats to iran.

 UNSTABLE NEIGHBOURS HAVING AMERICAN PRECENCE AND TERRORIST

THREATS
Most of the Iran’s neighbors, particularly Iraq and Afghanistan, are unstable, and
therefore, impact on the country. The US intervention in Iraq lead to a complete
geo-political restructuring of the Gulf region and iran has got completely involved
in the process to increase its influence and protect its national and revolutionary
interests. Iran posses threat of terror infiltration from these states.
  US MILITARY PRESENCE IN PERSIAN GULF

The US and its western allies are stymieing Iran’s desire to play a guardian’s role
in the Gulf region. USA have heavy military presence in the region from air bases
to navy marine forces and pose a threat of pre emptive strikes on iran. Usa has
formed a naval coailation comprised of regional and international allies posing a
threat to iran and hence further increasing chances of a war

 Blockade of iranian oil exports

Oil export through the Persian Gulf is the economic lifeline for Iran. Any
disruptions could, therefore, be disastrous for the country and consequently for
the Islamic Regime. United states have imposed unilateral sanction on oil sector
of iran to reduce it to zero.

 Arms buildup and imports by regiona states

Irans neighbours such as Saudi Arabia and UAE have imported advanced
weaponery from USA. And Israel with its advanced well armed military and
dominant air force is a threat to iran and its interests in the regions and have
carried out several military operations against Iranian interests in the region.
Israel is suspected of having nuclear weapons through it has neither accepted or
rejected the allegation but at time it has delivered nuclear threat to iran.
 Threat of pre emptive strikes
The Islamic Regime security and defence measures especially with regard to
nuclear and missile technology, is already a matter of great concern for its
neighbors, Israel, the US and its western allies. They are adopting policies to
prevent Iran from acquiring strategic weapons through economic sanctions and
threats of pre emptive strikes, as they have the potential to re-write the geo-
political map of entire West Asia.

IRANS SECURITY MEASURES