Iran prepared for WAR: World on brink as tensions with Saudi Arabia reach breaking point

The regions of Qatar, Yemen, Syria and Lebanon are also embroiled in the bitter conflict.

Relations between the Sunni-majority Saudi Arabia and the Shia-dominated Iran have deteriorated recently due to the ongoing civil war in Yemen and the political crisis in Lebanon. 

Tensions increased a few weeks ago between the two countries when Saudi Arabia accused Iran of being behind a ballistic missile attack on a Riyadh airport.

The missiles were intercepted and Saudi Arabia said they perceived the attack as a “declaration of war”.

Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Adel Al-Jubeir said: “The kingdom will not stand by and will not hesitate to defend its security.

“We must stand together”. 

The regional director of the Middle East and Africa at the Economist Intelligence Unit, Pat Thakar, told CNBC that it would not take much for tensions in the region to flare up.

Saudi Arabia and Iran have rival interests and alliances across the Middle East.

Regional conflicts in these countries often see Saudi Arabia and Iran supporting different sides that are often split on religious lines. 

The expert said if war were to break out between Saudi Arabia and Iran “it would be the most dangerous time for the Middle East and the world”.

She said: “But neither Saudi Arabia nor Iran want war.

“Saudi Arabia will fight tooth and nail to retain that position as the head of Islam and the Middle East.

“It will even go to bed with Israel to stop Iran.”

Lebanon has been thrown into the centre of the crisis as the country is home to the Iranian-backed terrorist militia Hezbollah.

Hezbollah said on Friday that Saudi Arabia had declared war on Lebanon after the nation was accused of holding its Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri against his will. 

There has been wide speculation surrounding Saad Hariri’s resignation, which was made when he was in Riyadh, was forced upon him and he was held against his will. 

Tensions between Saudi Arabia and Qatar have also risen because the latter has restored diplomatic ties with Iran. 

An armed conflict between the two Middle East superpowers could have a major impact on the global economy and could send oil prices skyrocketing by 500 per cent.