Saudis not opposed to Israel strike on Iran

Saudi officials suggested to their Israeli counterparts in a recent meeting that Saudi Arabia would not be opposed to an Israeli attack against Iran, senior Jerusalem officials told Haaretz Tuesday.

Iran has test fired nine long- and medium-range missiles, including one which it has previously said could travel as far as Israel and U.S. bases in the region, state media reported on Wednesday.


General Hossein Salami, a top Iranian Revolutionary Guards commander, was quoted as saying the aim of the exercise was "to demonstrate our resolve and might against enemies who in recent weeks have threatened Iran with harsh language." The drill was conducted in the Persian Gulf and the strategic Strait of Hormouz.


The tests occurred at a time of increased tension between Iran and Israel over Tehran's disputed nuclear program, which the West fears is aimed at making bombs. Iran says its nuclear program is only for power generation.


State Press TV said the missiles tested by Iran's Revolutionary Guards included a "new" Shahab 3 missile, which officials have said could reach targets 2,000 km (1,250 miles) away.


Jerusalem sources: Saudis not opposed to Israel strike on Iran


Saudi officials suggested to their Israeli counterparts in a recent meeting that Saudi Arabia would not be opposed to an Israeli attack against Iran, senior Jerusalem officials told Haaretz Tuesday.


Saudi Arabia has been very concerned with the expanding influence of Iran in the Middle East, especially among Shi'ite communities in the Arab world.


The Saudi officials told their Israeli colleagues that the other Arab Gulf states were troubled by Iran's conduct. They said the Arab world was concerned Iran would cause a split in its unity by stressing the differences between Shi'ites and Sunnis.


This is a particularly potent threat in light of the large Shi'ite minorities in countries like Saudi Arabia, and, in at least one instance, Bahrain, where they constitute the majority.


The Gulf states and the U.S. are also particularly sensitive to Iran's threat to shut down the Strait of Hormuz, where vast quantities of petroleum and gas products pass daily to feed the world's economies.


The U.S.'s Fifth Fleet Tuesday completed extensive exercises in the area, which U.S. spokesmen said were meant to protect the petroleum installations in the Gulf.


The exercises also included British forces as well as those of Arab Gulf States.

Haaretz
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1000454.html