"Persian Gulf Gas Field Dispute Tests Saudi-Iranian Rapprochement"
The dispute over the Al-Durra gas field in the Persian Gulf is posing an early challenge to the recent Saudi-Iranian rapprochement brokered by China. Saudi Arabia and Kuwait claim joint ownership of the gas field, while Iran asserts its rights to the field. Talks held in March failed to reach an agreement on border demarcation. Tensions are already high in the region, with the US building up military forces in response to Iran's alleged unlawful seizure of oil tankers. The resolution of the gas field dispute remains uncertain, but it highlights the ongoing regional rivalry between Saudi Arabia and Iran.
