Saudi Arabia Gives Israel Clear Skies To Attack Iranian Nuclear Sites

The Times ^ | June 12, 2010

[Strategy]

Saudi Arabia has conducted tests to stand down its air defences to enable Israeli jets to make a bombing raid on Iran's nuclear facilities, The Times can reveal.

In the week that the UN Security Council imposed a new round of sanctions on Tehran, defence sources in the Gulf say that Riyadh has agreed to allow Israel to use a narrow corridor of its airspace in the north of the country to shorten the distance for a bombing run on Iran.

To ensure the Israeli bombers pass unmolested, Riyadh has carried out tests to make certain its own jets are not scrambled and missile defence systems not activated. Once the Israelis are through, the kingdom's air defences will return to full alert.

"The Saudis have given their permission for the Israelis to pass over and they will look the other way," said a US defence source in the area. "They have already done tests to make sure their own jets aren't scrambled and no one gets shot down. This has all been done with the agreement of the [US] State Department."

[NotSoModerate]

Dominance of the Persian Gulf. This story sounds strange, but the Times is a good source.

I agree. They're better than any media outlet we've got here. By far.

[Towed_Jumper]

“What’s in it for Saudi Arabia?”

The Saudi Arabians don't won't to live near a hostile nuclear-armed Iran anymore than the Israels. IMO it's about the Saudis not being blackmailed at sometime in the future.

[JSteff]

Agreed

[khnyny]

The Saudi Royals walk a tight rope between pandering to the Islamic extremists, while maintaining their alliances with the Imans, West, etc, in an attmept to maintain their power. The Saudi Royals are not extremists.

[Frantzie]

O is a Saudi mole and Rahm is well connected to Israel.

[Windflier]

...-22bama...

Oh man, I must have missed the Friday Ras Report. Is Zero really at -22 today?

[rfreedom4u]

Not that the Saudi AF could shoot down any Israeli plane. The Israelis have one of the best trained air forces on the planet.

[okie01]

I don’t believe it.

Like minds.

Nonetheless, highly plausible.

A nuclear Iran, which would dominate the Persian Gulf nations, is not in the Saudis best interests.

There's that. And there's also Shi'ite vs Sunni.

No question, the Saudis would welcome a takedown on Iran. Even if it came from Israel. Whether they actually want it officially known is a separate question.

[Oceander]

What’s in it for Saudi Arabia?

Saudi Arabia is threatened by an aggressive, extremist Iran seeking to expand its sphere of influence in the Islamic world.

[JSteff]

Israel ought to just do it today, except like USMR said, can they get back safely?
Probably several of the Israeli pilots are like the crazy American pilots who bombed Tokyo off an aircraft carrier in WWII. They were crazy too. Little chance to get back, but a chance to be part of military history that few others can claim.

[C210N]

Is Zero really at -22 today?

No, but I just can't resist using his low-water mark.

[JSteff]

the Saudis would be happy if they shot down a few IAF planes just for PR

It would not surprise some if that was an agreed deal with Israel. Allow some planes to be shot down to cover Saudi Arabia in the muslim world.

[txhurl]

Saudi Arabia Gives Israel Clear Skies To Attack Iranian Nuclear Sites

Friday, June 11, 2010 8:01:40 PM · by Strategy · 70 replies · 1,635+ views

[txhurl]

That’s probably it. Allow 5 or so (of our) B2s there and back, take out a few IDF fighters for show on the return.

[Fred Hayek]

The Saudis, and others, privately thanked Israel for taking out Osirak. I suspect there is more communications going between Israel and Saudi Arabia, as well as other Arab countries, than what is let on.

[SunkenCiv]

This one is not new, and as before, is probably Iranian agitprop.

• UN votes for new sanctions on Iran over nuclear issue
• Russia to freeze Iran (S-300) missile contract after UN vote
• RUSSIA SAYS IN TALKS WITH IRAN ON MORE NUCLEAR PLANTS
• Gates: Nuclear Weapons Would Make Iran Less Secure
• 'Israel May Strike Iran Next Month'

[Pride_of_the_Bluegrass]

They maintain regional hegemony.

[eleni121]

Best case would be for Israel to bomb Mecca - the real terror center - on the way to Tehran.

On the way back annihilate Ankara.

[LeoWindhorse]

all Wahabis , everywhere , on this entire planet , should be rounded up and shot . Any opportunity would do

[Bullish]

I smell a trap.