When it comes to saudi arabia urging us to keep up iran attacks, intelligence source confirms, saudi Arabia is urging the United States to escalate its military operations against Iran, according to a Saudi intelligence source. This appeal comes as the kingdom considers whether to participate directly in the Ongoing Conflict. The intelligence source confirmed a report from the New York Times, which stated that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has implored former President Donald Trump not to halt the offensive against Iran, viewing the current US-Israeli campaign as a "historic opportunity" to reshape the Middle East.
Understanding Saudi Arabia Urging US To Keep Up Iran Attacks, Intelligence Source Confirms
The Saudi intelligence source indicated that Riyadh is not merely advocating for the continuation of military actions against Iran, but is also calling for an intensification of those efforts. Trump appeared to validate the crown prince's stance during a press briefing, stating, "Yeah, he's a warrior. He's fighting with us." Meanwhile, there have been no reports of direct Saudi military involvement in the conflict that has persisted for nearly four weeks. However, political analysts in Saudi Arabia suggest that should current diplomatic efforts led by Pakistan falter, the kingdom may choose to engage in the conflict directly. Originally reported by The Guardian.
Mohammed Alhamed, a geopolitical analyst based in Saudi Arabia, noted, "What matters now is Iran's decision. If Iran engages seriously, there is still a path to contain escalation. If it rejects the conditions and continues its attacks, the threshold for Saudi action will be crossed." Alhamed emphasized that Saudi Arabia is not acting impulsively but is carefully calibrating its response, preparing for a scenario in which escalation could become both deliberate and decisive.
Iran's Threats and Regional Dynamics
In recent weeks, Saudi Arabia has suffered drone attacks from Iran, a retaliatory measure in response to the US-Israeli strikes initiated on February 28. One significant attack occurred a week ago, targeting an oil refinery in Yanbu, located along the Saudi Red Sea coast. Fortunately, Riyadh's infrastructure for transporting oil via pipelines to the Red Sea has shielded it somewhat from Iran's strategy of imposing blockades on oil tanker shipments traversing the Strait of Hormuz.
The strike on Yanbu served as a stark reminder that Iran could still jeopardize Saudi Arabia's economic lifelines. The situation could become even more precarious if Iran's allies in Yemen, particularly the Houthi movement, decide to engage with their missile capabilities. Hesham Alghannam, a Saudi defense expert, commented to Agence France-Presse, "I believe that Saudi Arabia still maintains cautious neutrality in the Iran-Israel-US war." He added that if the Houthis launch attacks against Saudi assets, the kingdom might pivot toward defensive coalition support or even limited retaliation.
The Historical Context of Saudi-Iranian Rivalry
The animosity between Saudi Arabia and Iran has deep historical roots, with both nations vying for leadership among the Sunni and Shia Islamic communities, respectively. A leaked US State Department cable from 2008 revealed that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's paternal uncle, King Abdullah, urged the US military to "cut off the head of the snake," referring to Iran's theocratic regime.
Khalid Aljabri, a Saudi commentator currently in exile, pointed out that, in recent years, the kingdom had leaned towards negotiating a solution regarding Iran's nuclear and missile programs. However, the joint offensive by Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu complicated these diplomatic efforts, as it unfolded amid ongoing discussions focused on nuclear limitations.
Aljabri expressed concern that a wounded Iran could become more unpredictable and dangerous if the conflict escalates. He explained, "The policy was don't start the war, but if you start it, finish the job." The crown prince, who had previously strengthened his ties with Trump, now faces the challenge of reassessing Saudi Arabia's reliance on the US for security.
Shifting Alliances and Future Implications
Experts argue that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has seen his strategic investments in relations with the Trump administration backfire. Ellie Geranmayeh, a senior policy fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations, noted, "MBS has lost the bet on all his investments over the last several years." As the conflict escalates, Saudi Arabia's previous attempts at détente with Iran, including a surprise agreement to restore diplomatic relations facilitated by China, may come under scrutiny.
In the wake of the US's lack of military reprisals following a missile attack on a Saudi oil facility in 2019, Saudi Arabia had sought closer ties with Iran to mitigate retaliation risks. However, with the war now underway, the crown prince's previous calculations may have proven overly optimistic. As tensions continue to rise, the region watches closely to see how Saudi Arabia will navigate its precarious position amidst escalating hostilities.
Originally reported by The Guardian. View original.