As we detailed extensively, the trip comes at a critical time for the region. Saudi Arabia and Iran are at each other's throats following a series of unfortunate events that began with the execution of a prominent Shiite cleric and quickly escalated into an all-out diplomatic firestorm.

Now, the spat is on the verge of triggering a wider sectarian conflict that could further destabilize an already precarious security situation.

But it's not all about the long-running ideological divide. The two regional powers are also at odds economically.

The lifting of international sanctions against Tehran triggered a $100 billion windfall for the Iranians and increased access to global markets means Iran will be able to pull in as much as five times more per month from crude sales than it did under sanctions.