- Sputnik International
World
Get the latest news from around the world, live coverage, off-beat stories, features and analysis.

Saudi Actions Against Iran Threaten Syrian Peace Process - Ex-CIA Officer

© AFP 2023 / ATTA KENAREIranian riot police block a street leading to the Saudi embassy as protesters hold portraits of prominent Shiite Muslim cleric Nimr al-Nimr during a demonstration against his execution by Saudi authorities, on January 3, 2016, in Tehran
Iranian riot police block a street leading to the Saudi embassy as protesters hold portraits of prominent Shiite Muslim cleric Nimr al-Nimr during a demonstration against his execution by Saudi authorities, on January 3, 2016, in Tehran - Sputnik International
Subscribe
Saudi Arabia’s provocation against Iran undermines US and Russian efforts to end the Syrian civil war.

Iranian protesters gather outside the Saudi Embassy in Tehran during a demonstration against the execution of prominent Shiite Muslim cleric Nimr al-Nimr by Saudi authorities, on January 2, 2016 - Sputnik International
Saudi-Iranian Divide to Lead to Future Regional Turmoil - Ankara
WASHINGTON (Sputnik) – Saudi Arabia’s reckless actions in provoking a crisis with Iran could endanger US and Russian efforts to end the Syrian civil war and threaten the entire region, former CIA counterterrorism officer and whistleblower John Kiriakou told Sputnik on Wednesday.

“I believe that Saudi Arabia is making a serious mistake by escalating the diplomatic crisis with Iran,” Kirakou said. “There is much more at stake than just bilateral Saudi-Iranian relations.”

Saudi King Salman’s sudden action in cutting air connections and diplomatic ties with Tehran ran counter to US efforts to build a working relationship with Iran and finally end the four-year-old Syrian conflict, that has taken around 400,000 lives, Kiriakou noted.

“The United States is deeply interested in maintaining the forward momentum from the Iran nuclear deal, and the State Department does not want anything to stand in the way of Syria peace talks. A regional skirmish in the Gulf could jeopardize all of that,” he explained.

Smoke rises from Saudi Arabia's embassy during a demonstration in Tehran January 2, 2016 - Sputnik International
Iran Cares Little For Broken Ties with Saudi Allies
Saudi policy had become much more unpredictable and reckless since King Salman bin Abdul Aziz succeeded his brother, King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz a year ago, Kiriakou suggested.

“The Saudi actions, I believe, are products of an inexperienced king who has placed a great deal of responsibility in the hands of his even more inexperienced 30-year-old son as Defense Minister and Deputy Crown Prince [Mohammed bin Salam],” he said.

On January 2, Riyadh executed top Shiite cleric Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr, inciting a response in Tehran, where the Saudi embassy was stormed by protestors. On Monday, Saudi Arabia formerly severed diplomatic ties with Iran, and were joined by Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, and Sudan.

Both Turkey and Russia have offered to diplomatically mediate talks between Saudi Arabia and Iran to deescalate the situation. Each nation is part of the Syria peace talks, which recently established a firm timetable for a political transition in the war-torn country.

Newsfeed
0
To participate in the discussion
log in or register
loader
Chats
Заголовок открываемого материала