Abstract
The post Arab Spring developments have affected the security dynamics in the Persian Gulf region. US nuclear deal with Iran is another extra regional power action that has been defining the inter-state relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia. Therefore, it is argued that the global level factors are affecting the inter-state relations more as compared to the regional factors. The rise of non-state actors, particularly the Islamic State (IS) phenomenon with its challenge to the nation-state system has reinforced the significance of the states at the regional level. By focusing on the regional level analysis under Regional Security Complex Theory (RSCT), it has been found that the security dynamics in the Persian Gulf region are being determined by the actions or in-actions of the extra regional powers.