Sunni Arab countries hold critical power in either withholding or allowing their airspace to be used in a war between Iran and Israel. Both Jordan and Saudi Arabia have notified Shia Iran that the regime will not be allowed to use the air space of the two Arab countries to attack Israel.
According to Brig. Gen. (Res.) Yossi Kuperwasser, senior researcher at the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs, the Arab States “do not want to see their airspaces filled with missiles, they are part of CENTCOM [United States Central Command] and this is a joint effort…It is in their interest not to see Iran successful.” Let’s hope so, given the prevailing tensions and unpredictability. In April, Saudi Arabia and the UAE refused to open their airspace to Israel and the US as they tried to intercept the barrage of missiles and drones launched by Iran. Jordan, Iraq and Lebanon also closed their airspace. However the Saudis and the UAE did share intelligence with the US and Israel ahead of the attack.
The decision by Saudi Arabia and Jordan to not allow Iran to use its airspace to attack Israel sends the message that both countries are trying to de-escalate tensions that could erupt into a full-blown war between Iran and Israel, which would expand.
Former CIA director and US CENTCOM Commander David Petraeus stated that although the killing of Haniyeh “is an enormous blow to Iran’s honor…a huge intelligence failure and… a security failure. So, they have to respond.” Nonetheless, Iran does not want “to get into a real direct back and forth war with Israel.” Petraeus added: “Frankly, I don’t think Israel wants to get in a real full-on war with Hezbollah or with Iran… I don’t think they want to get into this with each other, because the damage to both sides would be very, very substantial.”
“Jordan, Saudi FMs tell Iran it must stay out of air space if it attacks Israel – report,” Jerusalem Post, August 6, 2024:
The Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi informed Tehran that if it responds to Israel’s assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, Jordan will not allow it to enter its airspace, Sky News Arabia reported.
Riyadh has declared it will not allow Iranian missiles or drones to pass through its airspace en route to Israel, a senior member of the Saudi royal family told Kan News on Monday evening. The official emphasized, “Riyadh will not allow any foreign object to pass through.”
This statement was also sent directly to Iran….
࿗Infidel࿘ says
Israel may honor their wishes, but Iran may not. If Iran violates Saudi or Jordanian air space, will either of those countries shoot down those Iranian missiles?
Troybeam says
Depends on how involved they want to be.
Steven says
Signatories to the Abraham Accords should ask this US administration what accomplishments their Iran appeasement approach has yielded, and who has benefited.
Bruce David Watt says
the Koran says treaties only last ten years or until you can subjugate or kill the non Muslims,
Bruce David Watt says
peace treaties in the Koran last no more than 10 years or until they think they can subjugate or kill the non Muslims, word of god stuff.