Neutral Zone

territory, Kuwait-Saudi Arabia

Also known as: Partitioned Zone

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Last updated

June 25, 2026

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The Neutral Zone was a territory of 2,200 square miles (5,700 square km) along the Persian Gulf that was jointly administered by Kuwait and Saudi Arabia until a political boundary was agreed upon in 1969. Each country now governs half of this territory, referred to as the Neutral, or Partitioned, Zone, but they continue to share oil revenues equally from the entire area.1

While the term "neutral zone" can refer to various areas in sports or shared administration, in the context of Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, it specifically denotes this historically shared territory. The border with Saudi Arabia is defined, but the border with Iraq remains a point of dispute. Iraq has historically asserted claims to parts of Kuwait, including strategic islands.213

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…of the territory (called the Neutral, or Partitioned, Zone), but they continue to share equally the revenues from oil production in the entire area. Although the boundary with Saudi Arabia is defined, the border with Iraq remains in dispute.
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…of the territory (called the Neutral, or Partitioned, Zone), but they continue to share equally the revenues from oil production in the entire area. Although the boundary with Saudi Arabia is defined, the border with Iraq remains in dispute.
Read More