Saudi Arabia 'to Shoot Down' Iran-Bound Israeli Planes
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
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
(256 posts)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
(20,998 posts)....thing the region needs is the Mullahs with nuclear capability.
Equate
(256 posts)because you are spot on. They may kick and scream and condemn Israel and the US, but secretly, they would be rejoicing.
cstanleytech
(26,223 posts)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
(256 posts)I wouldn't shed one tear if nuclear plants went bye bye.
Poll_Blind
(23,864 posts)PB
NickB79
(19,224 posts)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.
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
(78,249 posts)Or, they could just fly slightly to the north, over Iraq -- which is really the direct route, anyway.
Spider Jerusalem
(21,786 posts)Shortest route crosses Saudi Arabia: http://www.gcmap.com/mapui?P=SDV-BUZ
mbperrin
(7,672 posts)"Threatened" is a weird word to use in this context. Reminded might be better.
azurnoir
(45,850 posts)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
(28,581 posts)Perhaps President Obama should invite all parties involved to have a beer and a serious chit chat.
snooper2
(30,151 posts)Two different fundies drunk in the same room
It would have to be Israel, SA and Iran!
New movie idea? "Three Men and a President"?
Confusious
(8,317 posts)Marrah_G
(28,581 posts)That might be a bad idea....after being served that stuff they might get even more pissed at us !
Scuba
(53,475 posts)JCMach1
(27,553 posts)Pre-strike posturing for the populace
Douglas Carpenter
(20,226 posts)Alamuti Lotus
(3,093 posts)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.