A Saudi official told Asharq al-Awsat that a report published by the U.S. outlet Axios claiming a shift in Riyadh’s position on escalating regional tensions is false.
Tehran – IranView24
According to the official, Saudi Arabia continues to support diplomatic solutions, and calls for resolving disputes between the United States and Iran through dialogue.
He stressed that Saudi Arabia will not allow its territory or airspace to be used for any attack on Iran.
Axios had claimed that the Saudi defense minister said during a private meeting in Washington that failing to carry out Trump’s threat would embolden Iran.
While it is predictable that the declared and actual positions of actors such as Saudi Arabia regarding a U.S. war against Iran may be contradictory, public declarations of neutrality and the refusal of countries to participate in any aggression against Iran are notable for two reasons:
- They implicitly acknowledge the illegitimacy of such a war.
- Iran’s deterrence is strong enough that countries fear retaliation.
