Forget what they say, watch what they pump.
Saudi Arabia officially put out a statement harshly critical of Israel’s air strikes on Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile capabilities.
But what do the Saudis actually think? Follow the oil.
Israel’s sudden attack on Iran has threatened to disrupt oil supplies in the Middle East, placing the Opec+ cartel’s recent decision to increase crude production into the spotlight.
The Saudi Arabia-led producer group has surprised the oil market this year by fast-tracking the return of idled production even as crude prices fell. It has prompted speculation that the cartel was responding to White House pressure to boost output ahead of a confrontation with Iran.
If the Saudis really wanted to force a rapid end to the war, they would be doing what they have done in the past, which is cut production. And had they wanted to really pressure Trump ahead of a possible confrontation with Iran, they would have refused to boost production.
Oil production is still their best weapon. Boosting oil production provides a cushion ahead of a showdown with Iran.
That is not to say that the Saudis are America’s friend, let alone Israel’s friend, but they are happy enough with a scenario in which Iran’s capabilities get rolled back, without having to get directly involved or take any risks.
Forget what they say, watch what they pump.
Billy says
This is a win-win for the Saudi Muslims and all Muslims. Muslims killed in jihad against Non-Muslims are given Paradise by Allah. Allah in Quran 9:111 says, “Surely Allah has purchased from the believers[Muslims] their souls and their money so that they may have the garden[Heavenly Paradise]. They engage in war for the sake of Allah[ie. Allah’s Cause), so they kill and are killed…”. Israel, America, and the world must continue to protect and defend itself from Islam and its Muslims.
Taffy says
Does this apply for Sunni against Shite? Each considers the other as a non-believer.
Cynthia says
A win for the Saudis with more money in its pockets.
Israel does the heavy lifting for the region and of course its own survival.
Yet, there is only criticism.
I say, thank you Israel for saving Western civilization.
gravenimage says
+1
Wellington says
The Saudis (and I’m reminded of Menachem Begin’s quip that Saudi Arabia is not a country but a family) don’t really fear Israel or America. They do fear Iran so the official position of Saudi Arabia about Israel striking Iran means very little.
abu taleb says
Saudi Arabia is a kingdom owned by the Saud family, their main interest is to keep the power in Saudi. They are afraid of two things.
First, the Islam fundamentalists who think the Saud family is not Islam enough, which is true because the family members indulge in amoral activities just like any Islamic rulers in other countries.
Second, the Shia muslims because most of Saudis including the royal family are Sunnis. The Saudi Shias have once revolted against the government, if I recall correctly. And the Shias from Iran did terrorism action during the hajj pilgrimage in Mecca once. Also, Iranians are Persians, not Arabs and the Saudi Arabs are very racists in general.. So, there must be no love between Saudi and Iran.
࿗Infidel࿘ says
Actually, until King Abdullah, the Wahabis were the de-facto party in control of Saudi Arabia. Even Leftists, who normally avoided any criticism of islam/muslims, would mark them for condemnation, and some haven’t changed in that aspect. Maybe b’cos old habits die hard
But MbS, when he became crown prince, purged a bulk of them, and slowly embarked on a gradual relaxation of shariah rules. Lifting the ban on women driving or moving around w/o mahrams, lifting the ban on non-muslims going to Medina (though not Mecca as yet), stopping education from teaching hatred of Jews & Christians and starting to teach some basics about Buddhism & Hinduism, ending funding of foreign dawa & jihad activity, banning Tabhlighi Jamaat,…. As Robert has often pointed out, he has to be very careful about how he does this, given that the bulk of his countrymen are still people who were brought up primarily on islamic doctrine. Which explains his occasional reiteration of his commitment to islam & so on
On Saudis & Iran, one thing about not merely MbS but Arabs in general: they now recognize that a majority of muslims are non Arabs – from 🇵🇰🇧🇩🇲🇾🇮🇩🇮🇳🇹🇷🇳🇬🇮🇷…. and have started recognizing it themselves and supporting snatching the leadership of islam from the Arabs. This is something the Arabs – from Morocco to Iraq & Syria to the Comoros islands – are not gonna stand for. Already, Iran & Turkey have claims to the leadership of islam, of which the latter is being backed by the likes of Pakistan, Bangladesh & Malaysia. As a result, a number of Arab countries, starting w/ their core – 🇦🇪🇪🇬🇧🇭🇯🇴… have rallied behind Saudi Arabia, even though there are some Arab holdouts, such as 🇶🇦🇾🇪🇸🇴🇩🇿🇵🇸 who are happy to support Turkey due to its support of the muslim brotherhood
Anyway, bottom line is that Saudi Arabia & some other Arab countries are now less enthusiastic about non-Arabs converting to islam: it loosens their hold on the ummah, particularly when only 1 in 4 muslims are Arabs, which is a plurality but not a majority
࿗Infidel࿘ says
I read on @X a news story that Saudi Arabia is setting up interceptions to prevent the Houthis from getting anything more from Iran. The same Iran which they described as a brother a day ago
Lady at the Lake says
Never trust a man wearing a dress.
gravenimage says
Do the Saudis Actually Oppose Israeli Strikes on Iran? Follow the Oil
…………………………….
The Saudis may quietly be pretty happy about this.