The Role and Position of the Energy Component on the Convergence of the Countries of the Persian Gulf Region

Introduction
Due to its unique geopolitical features and resources, the Persian Gulf region has been very economically attractive for Western countries. The field of energy and energy technologies has caused regional and extra-regional countries to be attracted to this region. On the other hand, the energy-based political economy of the Persian Gulf region is entering a period of profound change as it intersects with the emergence of a younger leadership among US strategic partners such as Saudi Arabia and Qatar. Countries such as the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait have also moved to adopt long-term plans to diversify their economies, strengthen the private sector, and create jobs for a growing workforce. On the other hand, moving towards renewable energies and new energy technologies is growing in line with the diversification of the economies of these countries. These efforts in the field of energy have caused more cooperation and convergence between these countries to increase and increase stability and sustainable development in the region and provide opportunities for cooperation between the countries of the region. This research seeks to discuss and examine the factors involved in the convergence of the countries of the region in the field of energy and to answer the question of what role and place energy has in the convergence of the countries of the Persian Gulf region.
The purpose of the research
Considering the high importance of the economy category and the energy component in the international system, the most important goals and necessities are described as follows:
- The spread of challenges among the Persian Gulf countries and the creation of divergence in the economic field
- Interference of extra-regional countries in the current affairs of the Persian Gulf region and preventing convergence between the countries of the region
- Lack of agreement on the issue of energy pricing (oil and energy carriers) and consequently the pressure on trans-regional countries and great powers to receive energy at a low price.
- Extending economic divergence to political and security areas; Creating a crisis in the relations between the Persian Gulf countries
Research method
This article tries to answer the question raised in this research with a descriptive method. The data collection method in this research is consolidated and based on field and library methods. This means that to use the conceptual framework and necessary information to investigate the issue, library resources were used and books, articles, and websites in Latin and Persian languages were used. Also, statistical data has been used to enrich the work and show real data. In addition, five people were selected from among the specialists and professors of the university, and they were asked questions in the form of a semi-structured interview.
Research findings
The findings of the research show that convergence in the Persian Gulf environment is associated with challenges, one of these areas being energy. They are the first; dependence of great powers on Persian Gulf energy and second; The role of the Persian Gulf in the energy transit of the Caspian basin. The research also concludes that while challenges remain, strategic energy cooperation remains a key pillar of regional unity and stability in the Persian Gulf, highlighting its vital role in the global energy landscape.
Conclusion
What we have been looking for in this research is the answer to the question that was stated at the beginning; "What is the role and position of the energy component on the convergence of the countries of the Persian Gulf region?" we answered in this article. The statistical population of this research is the countries of the Persian Gulf, as it has been stated, the Persian Gulf was considered a peripheral land in the past geopolitical theories, but in the new geopolitical theories, this sea has become the land of "heartland" or "axis" or the center of centers. One of the most important reasons for the importance of this region is the presence of huge energy resources (oil and gas), which have always been the focus of great powers.
Convergence in the general field between the Persian Gulf countries should be summarized in a few cases, the main of which are; oil and gas, common religion, common geopolitics, the Palestinian issue, the importance of the Strait of Hormuz, and the regional countries' dependence on it, cooperation in environmental fields, cooperation in the field of agriculture, cooperation in the field of transportation, research, scientific, educational and sports cooperation, cooperation in the framework of Organizations (OPEC Organization), active cooperation in the fight against terrorism.
But the focus of this research has been mostly in the field of energy, where the most important capacities in this field are; First; the dependence of great powers on Persian Gulf energy and second; The role of the Persian Gulf in the energy transit of the Caspian basin. In the area of the first case that was mentioned, the developed countries and the great eastern powers, including India and China, have been in dire need of the oil resources of the Persian Gulf in the past years, and in the past years, they tried to attract the oil of the Persian Gulf countries with large contracts. They have had their position. On the other hand, the Western powers, including the European Union, could not meet their needs through the United States, so they came to the Persian Gulf. In the long run, this component can create a need for a new organization in addition to OPEC, through which all the countries of the Persian Gulf can achieve convergence.
On the other hand, the Persian Gulf can have the energy of the Caspian basin in the direction of transit. For a long time, Russia has sought to gain access to the Persian Gulf and then to open waters, but it has never been able to achieve it easily. Iran's route can be the best way for Russia and other Caspian countries to reach this important region, and through that, the countries of the Persian Gulf can achieve convergence in the economic field with the cooperation and transit of these resources.
Also, in this research, the theoretical framework of neo-functionalism has been used. Because neo-functionalists want to achieve political integration from economic integration. It seems that due to the cooperation of all the countries of the region, according to the historical and cultural foundations, regional convergence can be achieved. As stated; Political integration is a process by which political actors in several distinct national groups are trying to transfer their loyalty, expectations and political actions to a new center. Institutions that have more powers and demands than the previous governments. According to the economic capacities and existing capacities in the field of energy, the countries of the Persian Gulf can create organizations in this field; that these organizations provide more closeness and convergence with continuous and structured meetings.
One of the most important factors that fuel the convergence in the energy field of the Persian Gulf is the dependence of the great economic and political powers of the world on the energy resources of this region. The increasing demand for oil and natural gas has made the countries of this region the main suppliers of these resources in the world. This interdependence requires cooperation and convergence to ensure the stability and security of energy supply and demand.
Powerful countries such as the United States, China, the European Union, and Japan increasingly rely on oil and gas imports from the Persian Gulf region. This dependence creates a strong incentive for these countries to ensure stable access to energy resources by maintaining peaceful diplomatic and political relations with the countries of the region.
In addition, major economic powers have made huge investments in the field of exploration, extraction and refining of energy resources in the Persian Gulf. These investments create common interests between these countries and the countries of the region, which, in turn, helps convergence in the field of energy and the overall stability of the region.
The Persian Gulf region also plays a vital role in energy transit from the Caspian Sea to global markets. Caspian Sea countries, including the Republic of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Turkmenistan, have significant reserves of oil and natural gas. However, due to the lack of access to deep water ports, these countries face challenges in exporting these resources to global markets.
In this regard, transit routes through the Persian Gulf countries are considered an ideal option for exporting energy from the Caspian Sea basin. Pipelines and export terminals in this region provide the possibility of oil and gas transfer to global markets through the Oman Sea and the Persian Gulf.
Cooperation between the countries of the Persian Gulf and the countries of the Caspian Sea in the field of energy transit provides the basis for joint investments, infrastructure development, and mutual benefits. This, in turn, helps convergence and stability in these two strategic regions.