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PrintJune 13, 2010
Saudi Arabia denies green light for Israeli airstrikes on Iran
Yesterday's Times of London report that Saudi Arabia has "conducted tests to stand down its air defences to enable Israeli jets to make a bombing raid on Iran's nuclear facilities" has been denied by Saudi Prince Mohammed Bin Nawaf, ambassador the UK:
Prince Mohammed bin Nawaf, the Saudi envoy to the U.K. speaking to the London-based Arab daily Asharq al-Awsat, denied that report, saying such a move "would be against the policy adopted and followed by the Kingdom."According to Asharq al-Awsat report, bin Nawaf reiterated the Saudi Arabia's rejection of any violation of its territories or airspace, adding that it would be "illogical to allow the Israeli occupying force, with whom Saudi Arabia has no relations whatsoever, to use its land and airspace."
Still, one cannot rule out the possibility that this is a pro forma denial. First, Saudi Arabia cannot publicly acknowledge cooperation with the Little Satan, Israel. It is just so un-Islamic for the guardian of Mecca and Medina to consort with Jews against fellow Muslims, even if those fellow Muslims in Iran constitute a threat to the throne of the Saud family. Any such collaboration to preserve what really matters - control over the territory and resources of most of the Arabian Peninsula - would have to be tacit and secret. A kind of taqiyaa, if you will.
Second, note the odd language of the Prince: would be "illogical" for such a thing to happen. That doesn't mean "I know this is not true." It means "Based on certain principles, this doesn't seem likely."
My guess is that equipment malfunctions, scheduled maintenance, human error, or the Mossad could be blamed if Saudi air defenses just happen to be out of whack during Israeli overflights. I acknowledge that this may be wishful thinking, but still, I believe the assorted royals in Saudi Arabia realize that the mullahs want their Caliphate, with no room for Sunni monarchs, especially since the oil producing areas of Saudi contain so many Shiites.
Just as when Israel did the world a favor by destroying the Bushear reactor in Iraq, the world will condemn a successful Israeli airstrike against Iranian nukes. Of course, if the mission is unsuccessful, the world will turn on Israel with fury.
