US Supports Saudi Arabia Against Potential Iranian Attack
President Joe Biden walks with Prince Mohammad Bin Salman during his visit to Saudi Arabia in July. Source: Bandar Algaloud/Courtesy of Saudi Royal Court / Reuters
The United States and Saudi Arabia have been on high alert since yesterday after Saudi officials reportedly discovered Iranian plans to attack the nation’s energy infrastructures.
According to Saudi Sources, Iran aims to target the Saudi Kingdom’s oil industry as an act of retribution for Saudi Arabia’s interference with the current protests in the Islamic Republic.
Iran has a complicated relationship with both the US and Saudi Arabia, one that has continued to deteriorate despite President Joe Biden’s attempts to extend an olive branch and draw Iran back into the JCPOA.
Three US officials confirmed Saudi Arabia’s accusations but chose to remain anonymous. Despite this alarming news, the US embassy has not made any attempts to evacuate or reach out to its citizens present in Saudi Arabia, nor has there been an increase in US military forces in Saudi Arabia.
The sources predicted an attack could happen within 48 hours of the news reports. However, Iran has not made any attempts to evoke violence. Iran denies posing a threat to Saudi Arabia and has called the accusations “baseless.”
Saudi officials informed the US that it would not hold back from retaliating should Iran proceed with its attack. The US has sent F-22 fighter jets to the kingdom in the past to allow the Saudis to defend themselves in case of a crisis.
Recently, Iran’s Supreme General Ayatollah Ali Khamenei addressed his nation regarding the assassination of Soleimani. He states that Iran would strike “when the time was right.” These comments come after Saudi Arabia shared intel with the US on possible attacks from Iran.
The US National Security Council released a statement on Nov. 1 stating “We are concerned about the threat picture, and we remain in constant contact through military and intelligence channels with the Saudis. We will not hesitate to act in the defense of our interests and partners in the region.”
Just two weeks ago, the US and Saudi Arabia struggled to maintain healthy relations over Saudi Arabia’s OPEC decision to cut oil production. In the age of inflation, this decision heavily impacts the US economy by further raising gas prices. The US has threatened consequences and President Biden vowed to reconsider the US’ relationship with Saudi Arabia.
To cause additional damage to the relationship, Saudi-American citizen 72-year-old Ibrahim Almadi was apprehended in Saudi Arabia last year over his tweets directed towards the Saudi government. Despite the US’ requests to have its officials be present at the court hearing, the Saudis proceeded with the hearing and sentenced Almadi to 16 years in prison.
Supreme General Ayatollah Ali Khamenei delivers a speech directing blame for the protests towards Saudi Arabia and the US. Source: The Wall Street Journal
Iran has also been heavily criticized by President Biden for its aggressive response to civilian protests in light of the murder of Mahsa Amini. Iran’s support for Russia in the Russia-Ukraine war has also been criticized by the US and other nations around the world. While Saudi Arabia has been accused of assisting Russia through OPEC, the US has more to lose from the Saudi Kingdom than they do from Iran.
Iran and Saudi Arabia have almost non-existing foreign relations due to geopolitical tensions and religious hostility. Recently, Iran accused Saudi Arabia of supporting the protests underway in their country. Iran itself fueled protests against Saudi Arabia in 2016 in Tehran, when the city’s Saudi embassy was ambushed by Irani civilians who protested the killing of an Irani Shia civilian, prompting Saudi Arabia to sever ties with the country.
The US and Iran have similarly had a complex and difficult relationship. In 1979, the Iranian Revolution established the country’s current regime, overthrowing the US-backed Shah, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. Since then, Iran’s human rights abuses, burgeoning nuclear program, and anti-West ideology has long created distance between the two countries.
During the Trump Administration, tensions soared between the US and Iran, after the former imposed sanctions on Iran that led the country into a deep recession. Shortly after the sanctions, Irani General Qassam Soleimani was assassinated by US military forces.
While the Biden Administration has eased sanctions and attempted to open up negotiations with Iran, there have been multiple instances where the two nations have struggled to maintain peaceful relations. This has been especially prominent since Iran has so far refused to rejoin the dormant nuclear deal that President Trump pulled out of in 2018.
It is unclear if tensions will eventually ease.