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Thursday, December 14, 2017

Iran Reminds Saudi Arabia Why Israel is Worried

Israel has been under threat from Hezbollah and Hamas rockets that Iran helps make and actually delivers. The Saudis didn't have a lot of sympathy, all things considered. Until now.

Well that conclusion is a problem for Iran:

United Nations officials have found that missiles fired at Saudi Arabia by Yemen's Houthi rebels appear to have a "common origin," but they are still investigating U.S. and Saudi claims that Iran supplied them, according to a confidential report.

Iran backs the rebels and has a track record of arming enemies of Israel in Lebanon and Gaza with rockets to hit Israel. So means and motive point to Iran doing the same to attack indirectly their Saudi enemy.

So if there is a deal between a Saudi-led Arab alliance to run diplomatic interference for Israel while Israel conducts a massive land raid into Lebanon to thoroughly smash up Iran's proxy Hezbollah, don't be too surprised.

UPDATE: Saudi Arabia welcomes this effort:

“The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia welcomes the U.N. report that asserted that the hostile Iranian intervention and its support for the terrorist Houthi militia with advanced and dangerous missile capabilities threatens the security and stability of the kingdom and the region,” SPA said.

The agency said Saudi Arabia also welcomed the U.S. position announced by Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley, who presented pieces of what she said were Iranian weapons supplied to the Iran-aligned Houthi and described them as conclusive evidence that Tehran was violating U.N. resolutions.

This would go a long way to helping Saudi Arabia justify quiet support for Israel hammering Hezbollah as an anti-Iran issue rather than a pro-Israel issue.

UPDATE: And aid to Lebanon's formal government would come in handy should Hezbollah suddenly stop being the most powerful military force in Lebanon:

The United States has announced new assistance to the Lebanese military including helicopters and other advanced military equipment.

The photo shows Bradley fighting vehicles from a previous shipment. I'm sure just a small number.

It isn't a lot. But it is a continuation of an effort and reflects political support, too.