Saudi Arabia has far greater approval ratings than Iran in other Muslim countries across the region, analysis by Gallup reveals.

According to the research conducted in 2022 across 13 Muslim-majority countries by the US-based pollsters, Saudi Arabia's leadership received the approval of 39% of those surveyed, against just 14% for Iran.

The Kingdom showed sharply higher support still both in Kuwait, where a 47%-point approval difference illustrates close ties between Gulf Cooperation Council countries and OPEC partners, and also Libya, where Saudi Arabia enjoys a 41-point advantage in popularity.

Saudi Arabia has greater popularity in all countries polled, stretching from Morocco to Pakistan. The difference is most muted in Turkey, where the advantage is just three points.

There is a relatively small approval gap in the Palestinian Territories of 12 points, but still Saudi Arabia is more popular there despite Iran’s all-out support for the resistance groups.

Most countries where Iran has had the greatest influence give Tehran low marks, including Iraq (86% disapproval), Yemen (80%) and Lebanon (73%).

After the 1979 revolution, the theocratic government of Iran quickly formed enemies throughout the Middle East when it demanded overthrow of Gulf monarchies and secular Arab governments. The Islamic Republic’s support for Shia minorities in Sunni-majority countries placed it at odds with the countries in the Middle East.

After seven years of hostility that fueled conflicts across the Middle East, Tehran and Riyadh agreed to end their diplomatic rift and reopen their diplomatic missions in March.