An Israeli-Saudi ‘normalization’ deal can mean a war with Iran
-
Hashim Sheikh
- . September 12, 2023
- . Update: September 12, 2023 4:40 pm
The United States has been persuading the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to normalize ties with Israel. However, the Israeli-Saudi normalization deal can mean a war with the Islamic Republic of Iran.
The President of the United States, Joe Biden, has made it a priority right now to establish diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel. Why is the normalization deal important for Washington?
Earlier, The New York Times and the Wall Street Journal reported that Saudi Arabia wanted to finalize a security pact and a nuclear programme with the United States as part of a normalization agreement with Israel. The US is already the top defense supplier for Saudi Arabia. The US also aims to establish its presence in the Arab world.
What could the Israeli-Saudi ‘normalization’ deal mean?
In July, Isaac Herzog, the President of Israel, said that the Israeli leaders wanted to establish formal ties with Saudi Arabia. He also said in a speech to the US Congress, “We pray for this moment to come.”
The normalization deal between Saudi Arabia and Israel can jeopardize Saudi Arabia’s recent diplomatic relations with Iran.
Keep Reading
Iran-Israel relations have deteriorated in recent years. Over the years, the Israeli–Palestinian conflict has affected Israel’s relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran. Israel has repeatedly failed to conclude an agreement with Palestinians for a two-state solution.
Iran is also subject to US sanctions. Iran has repeatedly slammed the US for interfering in internal matters. The normalization deal between Saudi Arabia and Israel, under the guidance of the US, can anger Iran.
Earlier, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who served as the sixth president of Iran from 2005 to 2013, said that Iran would wipe off Israel from the pages of history. His statement further deteriorated Iran-Israel ties.
Ali Hosseini Khamenei, the second and current supreme leader of Iran, has also repeatedly slammed Israel and the US. Nasser Kanaani, the 13th spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iran, also called Israel a “fake and usurping regime based on terrorism.”
It is important to note that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has repeatedly called on Israel to establish a Palestinian state and find a “fair solution” to the plight of Palestinians in the occupied West Bank. However, the far-right government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has increased settlement expansion in the occupied West Bank.
A positive outcome to the current Israeli-Saudi normalization deal is unlikely soon.
