Russia wants Iranian weapons: Riyadh and Washington join forces against Tehran

Russia wants Iranian weapons
Riyadh and Washington join forces against Tehran

Iran is increasingly expanding its power in the Middle East – a threat to Saudi Arabia. The US also fears Iranian missile technology and announces support for Riyadh. In contrast to Moscow, which is probably still interested in drones from Tehran.

The US wants to continue to support Saudi Arabia in self-defense in the face of a growing threat from Iran. According to a joint final declaration, the kingdom should be empowered to “protect its people and sovereign territory against external threats”. These were released by the White House and the Saudi State Department after US President Joe Biden met with Saudi King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Tehran’s “interference in the internal affairs of other countries” and the “support of terrorism by armed proxies” must be stopped. In addition, Iran should not be allowed to acquire nuclear weapons.

Because of the threat posed by Iran, the USA is still striving for a stronger network of air defense systems in its partner countries in the Middle East. A senior US government official said on the sidelines of Biden’s visit to Jeddah that Iran is expanding its ballistic missile capabilities, but also in drone technology. These UAVs would have more range and greater power, threatening countries in the Gulf region. Therefore, one assumes that a “more networked integrated air defense system” is the right way.

Shia Iran is a sworn enemy of the Sunni Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Tehran has expanded its influence in the Middle East – Iraq, Syria, Lebanon and Yemen. From there, the Iran-backed rebels repeatedly attack targets in neighboring Saudi Arabia. Nearly three years ago, two key Saudi oil facilities were also attacked, including the kingdom’s largest oil refinery. Yemen’s Houthi rebels claimed responsibility for the attack. Riyadh blamed Iran directly. Saudi Arabia is one of the largest oil producers in the world. The attack in September 2019 on the facilities of the state-owned company Saudi Aramco temporarily paralyzed around half of Saudi oil production. That corresponded to around five percent of global oil production.

US government: Russia wants Iranian drones

As the US seeks to re-establish a cooperative relationship with Saudi Arabia after years of distance, the rift between the United States and Iran is becoming ever clearer. The nuclear deal dissolved by former US President Donald Trump has never been ratified again. And the fear that Iran could build nuclear weapons is still great. But one country sees more of an opportunity in missile and drone technology: Russia. Although Tehran has already indicated that it has no interest in arms trading with Moscow, the US government still believes that Russia wants to acquire Iranian combat drones.

The US has information that a Russian government delegation has visited an Iranian airport for a demonstration of attackable drones, a senior US official said on the sidelines of US President Joe Biden’s visit to Saudi Arabia. Russia wants the drones “obviously for use in the war in Ukraine”. He added that Russia is banking on Iran in the Middle East. The US, on the other hand, is betting on a more integrated, stable, peaceful and prosperous region.

Biden’s national security adviser Jake Sullivan said last Monday that there were indications that Iran wanted to support Russia in the war of aggression against Ukraine. In this context, Tehran is also preparing to provide drones that can also carry weapons. Iran’s Foreign Minister Hussein Amirabdollahian then assured Ukraine that it would not deliver drones to Russia. He spoke of an American “propaganda act”.

source site-34