Saudi Arabia shares intelligence with US officials that suggests Iran may be preparing for an imminent attack on the kingdom
Saudi Arabia shares intelligence with US officials that suggests Iran may be preparing for an imminent attack on the kingdom
Saudi Arabia has shared intelligence with US officials that suggests Iran may be preparing for an imminent attack on the kingdom, three US officials confirmed on Tuesday.
Increased concern about a possible attack on Saudi Arabia comes as the Biden administration is criticizing Tehran for cracking down on widespread protests and sending hundreds of drones – as well as technical assistance – to Russia for use in its war in Ukraine Condemning it.
“We are concerned about the threat picture, and we are in constant contact with the Saudis through military and intelligence channels,” the National Security Council said in a statement. “We will not hesitate to act to protect our interests and those of our partners in the region.”
One of the officials who confirmed the intelligence sharing called it a credible threat of attack “soon or within 48 hours”. No US embassy or consulate in the region has issued an alert or guidance to Americans in Saudi Arabia or anywhere in the Middle East based on intelligence. Officials were not authorized to comment publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.
When asked about the intelligence report shared by Saudi, Brig. Pentagon press secretary General Pat Ryder said US military officials are “concerned about the threat situation in the region.”
“We are in regular contact with our Saudi partners in terms of what information they may need to provide on that front,” General Ryder said. “But what we’ve said before, and I will repeat it, is that we will reserve the right to defend and defend ourselves, no matter where our military is serving, whether in Iraq or elsewhere.”
wall street journal First reported on Tuesday about intelligence sharing by Saudis.
The US and Saudis accused Iran of being behind a major attack in eastern Saudi Arabia in 2019 that halved the oil-rich kingdom’s output and soared energy prices. The Iranians denied that they were behind the attack.
Saudi Arabia has been repeatedly hit by drones, missiles and mortars in recent years by Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen in retaliation for Saudi’s involvement in the civil war that began in 2014. Saudi Arabia formed a coalition to fight the Houthis. In 2015 and internationally criticized for its airstrikes, which killed many civilians.
In recent weeks, the Biden administration has imposed sanctions on Iranian officials for their brutal treatment of protesters following the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in September while in the custody of Iranian security forces. The administration has also hit Iran with sanctions for supplying drones to Russia for use in its war in Ukraine.
At least 270 people have been killed and 14,000 arrested during the protests, according to a group of human rights activists in Iran. Demonstrations continue, even as the frightened paramilitary Revolutionary Guard warns young Iranians to stop.
US relations with Saudi Arabia have also been strained after OPEC+, the Riyadh-led coalition of oil-producing countries, announced in October that it would cut production by 2 million barrels per day in November.
The White House has said it is reviewing its relationship with the Saudis over the move. The administration said the production cuts are effectively helping Russia, another OPEC+ member, pad its coffers as it continues its war in Ukraine, which is now in its ninth month.
White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby reiterated Tuesday that the administration is concerned that Iran could also provide Russia with surface-to-surface missiles.
“We haven’t seen that concern go away, but it is a concern,” Kirby said.
Even as the US and others raise concerns about nefarious Iranian action, the administration has not ruled out the possibility of reviving the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, which was brokered by the Obama administration and Was abolished by the Trump administration in 2018.
US Special Envoy to Iran Robert Mali said on Monday that the administration was not currently focusing on the deal, which has been stalled since August.
Still, Mr Malee refused to declare the deal dead and said the administration “makes no apology” for “making every effort to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons”.
The treaty, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, or JCPOA, would provide Tehran with billions of dollars in sanctions relief in exchange for agreeing to withdraw its nuclear program to the extent set by the 2015 deal. This includes limits on enrichment and how much material Iran can store and limits the operation of advanced centrifuges needed to enrich.