Both Afghanistan and Pakistan border Iran to the east, but Pakistan’s shared history with India causes it to sometimes be seen as part of South Asia instead of the Middle East. The eastern and northern borders of the Middle East are somewhat difficult to define. Countries along the Persian Gulf include the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Iran.
At the center of the Middle East rests the Persian Gulf, cutting into the region and giving it its hook-like shape. Saudi Arabia, Yemen, and Oman border these waters, with Iraq and Jordan connecting them to the western part of the region.
South of the Mediterranean Sea, the Red and Arabian Seas surround the southern part of the Middle East. Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia, all located just northeast of Turkey, are at times associated with the Middle East, Europe, Asia, or as their own separate region.
