On January 8, the Iranian business newspaper Donya-ye Eqtesad reported: "In an interview with the prominent Foreign Affairs magazine, Saudi Arabia's Deputy Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman discussed the future of the Saudi-Iranian relations and whether Riyadh would consider opening a direct channel of communication with Iran to de-escalate tensions and forge common ground that there is no point in negotiating with Iran. In analysing the remarks by the Saudi King's son who is one of the influential Al Saud figures, Donya-ye Eqtesad lists the eight reasons for the freeze in relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia. The Saudi royal court's "jack of all trades" defined issues for everyone, especially for those who continue to be optimistic that Iran and Saudi Arabia could hold talks on some common points. When asked in an interview with the US Foreign Affairs magazine about the future of the Saudi-Iranian relations and whether Riyadh would consider opening a direct channel of communication with Iran to de-escalate tensions and forge common ground, Saudi Arabia's Deputy Crown Prince and Defence Minister Muhammad Bin Sultan said that there is no point in negotiating with Iran.

"The Deputy Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, who is referred to as the future Saudi king and whose administration plays an important role in the financial and moral support of radical Salafi groups in the world, accused Iran of exporting its exclusivist ideology, supporting terrorism, and violating the sovereignty of other nations. Muhammad Bin Sultan alleged: "Until Tehran changes its deeply problematic outlook and behaviour, Saudi Arabia has much to lose from prematurely proposing rapprochement and cooperation." Bin Sultan also alleged that Iran represents and instigates the three main ills of the region: borderless ideologies, state instability, and terrorism. The architect of the Yemen war described Iran as the factor for regional problems and alleged: "The problem was never Iran per se. It is the radical regime born of the 1979 Iranian Revolution." Until before these remarks by Muhammad Bin Sultan, which are indicative of the mentality of the Al Saud leaders and decision-makers regarding Iran, some people believed that Tehran and Riyadh could enter into negotiations over the beds of crisis in the Middle East and reach an agreement on spheres of influence. Although there is no doubt in the outlook that it is necessary to reduce the level and scope of regional turmoil and tension, given eight decisive variables, it cannot be implemented because of the time that it is being propounded. In explaining these eight key reasons, it should be noted that the ground for the growth of these tensions continues to exist since the variables giving rise to tensions at the regional, bilateral, and international, which will be discussed below, are fanning the flames. Therefore, the process of rivalry between Iran and Saudi Arabia in the short term generates tensions and it will turn into an arena for the continuation of rivalries at the regional level in the mid-term. But why are tensions being sustained and making the rivalry in the two countries' relations to carry on? The answer should be examined in their order of importance.

"Regional Level. Iran's Upper Hand.

"Perhaps the most important reason for Saudis to reject any form of Iran's willingness to negotiate and dialogue is the field advantages of Iran and its allies in Iraq, Syria, Yemen, and Lebanon. At the time when Saudi Arabia lacks trump cards in the above-mentioned arenas, accepting Iran's invitation would be regarded as an endorsement of Iran's influence in the Arab world. This explains why Saudi officials have repeatedly rejected Iran's invitation.

"Saudi Arabia's Political and Military Recruitment.

"The Saudis continue to seek ways to mobilize actors against Iran at various levels and among Arab and Muslim governments. A recent example of this was the formation of the Persian Gulf Union with military and defence dimensions, purchasing arms from Britain and inviting the British prime minister to visit the country, forming the anti-terrorism alliance, its military presence in the Horn of Africa to set up a military base in Djibouti, and retaking the strategic islands of the strategic Tiran and Sanafir islands from Egypt. All of these become meaningful within this context.

"Not Resolving Current Crises.

"The areas that are regarded as the main spheres of rivalry between Iran and Saudi Arabia and affect the nature and manner of the two countries' confrontation -- that is, Syria, Yemen, and Iraq -- continue to be in a state of confusion and uncertainty. This state of confusion and uncertainty will result in the tension arising from them to cast a shadow on the two countries' relations, especially regarding Yemen, which will be the scene of rivalries in the future.

"Establishing Relations with Israel.

"One of the most important issues that have increased the pressures on Iran is the collaboration between the Arab and Israeli lobbies in America and the converging contacts between Riyadh and Tel Aviv. This will have an impact on the escalation of rivalries in Iran-Saudi relations and could reduce the potential of Arab-Israeli hostility and turn their focus to Iran.

"Bilateral Level. Al Saud Decision-makers' Confrontational Mentality.

"The perception of Saudi rulers and decision-makers regarding Iran continues to be based on elements of threat without any signs of cooperation. One of the most important elements for decision-making in the foreign policy atmosphere relies on the perception of the decision-makers of their own atmosphere and the atmosphere of others. The recent remarks of Muhammad Bin Sultan indicate that Saudi Arabia's political, military, and security decision-makers continue to regard Iran as their main problem and rival.

"Most Communication Channels Blocked.

"One of the elements that always plays a catalytic role in regional and international tensions and crises and is an encouraging sign of establishing contacts is fact that some communication channels are open. However, as far as the two countries are concerned, these channels are practically blocked; and an issue like the Hajj pilgrimage, which is primarily a humanitarian and ideological issue, turns into a serious political problem.

"Absence of Economic Overlaps.

"Even the meagre trade transactions between Iran and Saudi Arabia could have been regarded as a communication channel. However, since the two countries' economies are not aligned and complementary, they were virtually cut off and replaced quickly with other economies.

"International Level. Trump Variable and Ambiguous Atmosphere

"In view of Trump's current ambiguous stances given his controversial approaches and comments, his efforts to form the war cabinet, and the fact that Congress is in the hands of the Republicans, it is illogical to think that we will see the continuation of the Obama era policies and some of his soft approaches in dealing with Iran. In this atmosphere, there are signs indicating that Saudi Arabia will resume its role in relations with America and in the approach and outlook of the Republicans, especially since Saudi Arabia, Israel, and America have turned their focus from the JCPOA to Iran's regional role.

"Outlook Ahead.

"Given Muhammad Bin Salman's remarks and the explanation of the eight reasons for the freeze in the two countries' relations, it should be noted that we will see tensions being maintained in the short term and more serious rivalries in the mid-term between the two countries, especially when because of domestic, regional, and international changes, Saudi Arabia's foreign policy is in the process of molting and emerging from a traditional and cautious policy towards an overt confrontation with regional elements, trends, and processes."