Final answer:
The conflict between Sunni majority Saudi Arabia and Shia majority Iran predominantly revolves around disputes over power, influenced by longstanding sectarian divides. Political, religious, and economic factors contribute to ongoing regional tensions, exemplified by historical events like the Iran-Iraq War and current power dynamics in the Middle East.
Step-by-step explanation:
The conflict between Sunni majority countries like Saudi Arabia and Shia majority countries like Iran is often characterized by disputes over power and political influence, along with undercurrents of religious division. Although conflicts in the region can encompass various issues, including oil and territorial disputes, the deep-rooted sectarian divide between Sunni and Shia Islam significantly influences regional dynamics. This sectarian divide has manifested in multiple ways, from the Iran-Iraq War, where ethnic and religious differences fueled the conflict, to current political struggles for dominance in countries with significant Shia populations like Iraq.
Historically, the Persian Empire, which is modern-day Iran, declared Shia Islam as its official religion in the 16th century, while its neighbors largely followed Sunni Islam. The balance of power and the divergence in religious beliefs have contributed to ongoing tensions. For instance, during the Saddam Hussein era in Iraq, a Sunni Arab leadership held power over a Shia Arab majority, leading to internal strife and regional tensions. Today, the conflict in the Middle East is complex, with political, economic, and religious factors all playing a role, and power struggles continue to shape the geopolitics of the region.