Saudi Arabia threatens Iran with retaliation for strikes on its territory
Prince Mohammed bin Salman has authorized the armed forces to strike Iran if necessary.
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Donald Trump. Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
After the US and Israeli attacks, Iran launched missile strikes across the Middle East — including against its powerful neighbor, Saudi Arabia. Following the shelling of American bases in their country, the Saudis, according to CNN, are threatening retaliation: Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has authorized the armed forces to strike Iran if necessary.
Thus, Saudi Arabia does not rule out intervening in the war, writes Bild.
Mohammed bin Salman called the Iranian attacks on the east of the country and on Riyadh "cowardly": Saudi Arabia did not provide its airspace for Israeli and US attacks against Iran, while the leadership in Tehran knew this and still attacked the Saudis.
According to The Washington Post, however, bin Salman had repeatedly called Donald Trump in recent weeks and supported the American strike on Iran — although he publicly advocated for a diplomatic solution. According to Axios, Defense Minister Khalid bin Salman stated at a closed briefing in Washington: "If Trump doesn't strike, the regime will become stronger."
Saudi Arabia and Iran have been bitter rivals in the Middle East for many decades. The Saudis consider a strong Iran a threat to their security and status as the region's leading power.
Therefore, bin Salman seeks a strategic partnership with the US and has even grown closer to Israel in recent years. Iranian attacks on civilian infrastructure and oil facilities in Saudi Arabia could sow doubt in bin Salman's ability to guarantee the kingdom's stability and defense — meaning, for him, it is also a political threat. Whether Tehran will react to the Saudi warnings will become clear in the coming days.
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