Cold War in the Islamic World: Saudi Arabia, Iran and the Struggle for Supremacy is a significant scholarly work by renowned historian and political analyst Dilip Hiro. The book offers a comprehensive examination of the geopolitical, ideological, and strategic rivalry between Saudi Arabia and Iran, two of the most influential powers in the Middle East and the wider Islamic world.

Drawing upon historical evidence and political analysis, Hiro traces the origins and evolution of this rivalry from the early twentieth century to the contemporary era. He explores key developments such as the discovery of oil, the Iranian Revolution of 1979, the Iran–Iraq War, the Gulf conflicts, and the competing roles of Saudi Arabia and Iran in regional crises across Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq, Syria, and Yemen. The book also highlights the involvement of global powers, particularly the United States and Russia, in shaping the balance of power in the region.

Rather than presenting a mere chronological account of events, the author critically analyzes the political, religious, economic, and strategic factors that have fueled the competition between Riyadh and Tehran. By doing so, he demonstrates how this rivalry has influenced regional stability, sectarian dynamics, and international relations throughout the Muslim world.

Published by Oxford University Press in 2018, this work serves as a valuable resource for students, researchers, and scholars of Middle Eastern studies, international relations, political science, and contemporary Islamic history. It provides important insights into one of the most consequential geopolitical rivalries of the modern era and its far-reaching implications for regional and global politics.