Saudi Arabia 'to Shoot Down' Iran-Bound Israeli Planes

[Purveyor]

Source: RIA Novosti

13:28 09/08/2012
MOSCOW, August 9 (RIA Novosti)

Saudi Arabia has threatened to shoot down any Israeli aircraft over its airspace en route to or from Iran, the Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth reported on Thursday.

The message was passed via senior U.S. officials during recent talks in Jerusalem.

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The paper said the route over Saudi Arabia was one of four air routes identified by Israel's intelligence for a possible attack on Iran.

Saudi Arabia is equipped with U.S.-made fighter jets and sophisticated defense systems, Israeli media reported.

Read more: http://en.rian.ru/world/20120809/175091104.html

[RZM]

1. Doubtful

Sounds like CYA to me. I imagine if this ever happened, Saudi Arabia would pretend to scramble some planes and later declare that their air defense system experienced some sort of malfunction. I highly doubt they would shoot down Israeli planes on their way to Iran.

I could be wrong, of course. But the Saudis aren't particularly keen on Iran themselves, though of course they could never appear to be siding with Israel.

[Equate]

3. I think you've got it right

They are just as worried as Israel about Iran getting a nuclear weapon. I suspect that they would maybe fire a few missiles that they made sure wouldn't achieve a lock and maybe scramble a few fighters and then claim that they couldn't intercept them.
Saudi Arabia won't shed any tears if Iran's nuclear program is destroyed.

[Raster]

14. NO ONE in the Middle East would shed a tear if Iran's nuclear program is destroyed. The last....

....thing the region needs is the Mullahs with nuclear capability.

[Equate]

15. I shoulda said that

because you are spot on. They may kick and scream and condemn Israel and the US, but secretly, they would be rejoicing.

[cstanleytech]

17. Well I would rejoice outloud if they just gave up their entire nuclear plants

just as I would rejoice if most of the world including the US did as well.
The longterm waste disposal problem not to mention the risk of a meltdown contaminating hundreds of miles of land is just not worth it or atleast thats my opinion *shrug*

[Equate]

21. That's an opinion shared by me and millions of others across the planet.

I wouldn't shed one tear if nuclear plants went bye bye.

[Poll_Blind]

10. +1 Yeah, that's exactly what I was thinking when I read the OP: CYA. nt

PB

[NickB79]

13. It wouldn't matter; Iran would still strike them anyway if Israel bombs them

Either directly by destroying refineries and oil transfer ports, or indirectly by sinking a few ships and closing the Strait of Hormez. If Iran is attacked, their most effective weapon for reprisal against the West is to cut off the world's access to Saudi oil, which would be devastating for Saudi Arabia.

I honestly think Saudi Arabia may be telling the truth here.

[Missycim]

22. I read

somewhere that Saudi Arabia is building a oil shipping port south of the straights to prevent Iran from cutting of the supply of oil in case of war.

[KamaAina]

2. Ooooh! Israel must be SCARED!!

Or, they could just fly slightly to the north, over Iraq -- which is really the direct route, anyway.

[Spider Jerusalem]

18. Not quite

Shortest route crosses Saudi Arabia: http://www.gcmap.com/mapui?P=SDV-BUZ

[mbperrin]

4. No surprise to me. Any sovereign nation would do the same.

"Threatened" is a weird word to use in this context. Reminded might be better.

[azurnoir]

5. It's all a matter of which countries sovereignty Israel wishes to disregard

my vote would be on the Jordan Iraq route as they are the least able to defend their airspace if Israel does this without permission

[Marrah_G]

6. So which ally do we side with?

Perhaps President Obama should invite all parties involved to have a beer and a serious chit chat.

[snooper2]

8. As long as nobody is an angry drunk LOL

Two different fundies drunk in the same room

[Marrah_G]

9. 3 !

It would have to be Israel, SA and Iran!

New movie idea? "Three Men and a President"?

[Confusious]

11. Muslims don't drink. nt

[Marrah_G]

12. Well...ummmm... non alcoholic beer?

That might be a bad idea....after being served that stuff they might get even more pissed at us !

[Scuba]

7. Mitt and the other Plutocrats must be rubbing their hands together with glee.

[JCMach1]

16. bullshit

Pre-strike posturing for the populace

[Douglas Carpenter]

19. they have to say that - they have to

[Alamuti Lotus]

20. should this actually happen, they are more likely to secretly offer refueling and current maps

the wahhabi munafiqeen loath the Islamic Republic far more than the zionist enemy that they more often than not collaborate with freely; this statement is just a matter of keeping up appearances.