Saudi Arabia halts Israel normalization talks, shifts focus to Iran deal after Hamas attack: Report.
Saudi Arabia Shifts Focus from Israel to Iran in Talks
Saudi Arabia, which had been engaged in months-long discussions with Israel on normalizing relations, has reportedly put those talks on hold and redirected its attention towards striking a deal with Iran.
According to Reuters, two sources familiar with the matter revealed that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had a conversation with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi in an effort to prevent further escalation in the region. One source disclosed that Iran insisted on prioritizing concessions for Palestinians as a condition for continuing the talks between the two countries.
A senior Iranian official described the 45-minute call with Saudi Arabia as ”good and promising,” emphasizing its objective to support Palestine and prevent the spread of war in the region. The call was reportedly approved by Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Last Saturday, Iran-backed Hamas launched a brutal attack on Israel, resulting in the deaths of over 1,300 people, including innocent Israeli families and infants. This attack occurred shortly after President Joe Biden announced the unfreezing of $6 billion for Iran, along with the release of Iranian prisoners, in exchange for Americans held captive by the Iranian regime.
Tensions between the Arab world and Israel have escalated under the Biden administration, following the Abraham Accords overseen by former President Donald Trump. These accords successfully normalized ties between Israel and the Gulf states of Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates. The Biden administration had hoped to expand on the Abraham Accords with other Arab countries, including Saudi Arabia.
In an interview with Fox News, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman stated that his country and Israel were moving closer to normalization every day. However, he emphasized that any deal would need to improve the lives of Palestinians.
Some experts believe that the Hamas attack was a response to the normalization talks between Israel and Saudi Arabia. A Hamas official confirmed that the terrorist organization received support from Iran for the attack, a claim corroborated by multiple officials cited in reports from the Wall Street Journal and the Washington Post.
According to the Wall Street Journal, officers of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps collaborated with Hamas and other Islamic terrorists in planning the attacks, which involved firing thousands of rockets and launching invasions by land, sea, and air.
“Details of the operation were refined during several meetings in Beirut attended by IRGC officers and representatives of four Iran-backed militant groups, including Hamas, which holds power in Gaza, and Hezbollah, a Shiite militant group and political faction in Lebanon,” stated the WSJ report.
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The Biden administration acknowledged Iran’s complicity in the attack on Israel but stated that it did not possess specific evidence linking Iran to the incident. National Security Council spokesman John Kirby affirmed that Iran has long supported Hamas and other terrorist networks in the region with resources, capabilities, and training.
How does Saudi Arabia’s shift in focus from Israel to Iran impact the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East?
S between Israel and several Arab countries, including the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Sudan, and Morocco.
However, the recent attack by Hamas has caused Saudi Arabia to reconsider its approach towards Israel. Instead, the kingdom has shifted its focus towards Iran, recognizing the need to prevent further escalation in the region.
The conversation between Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and President Ebrahim Raisi highlights Saudi Arabia’s diplomatic efforts to address the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East. Iran, a major player in the region, has insisted on prioritizing concessions for the Palestinians as a condition for continuing talks with Saudi Arabia. This move indicates Iran’s commitment to supporting Palestine and preventing the spread of war.
The senior Iranian official’s description of the call as “good and promising” suggests that both parties are willing to engage in constructive dialogue. Moreover, the fact that the call was approved by Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei adds credibility to Iran’s commitment to these discussions.
The timing of the Hamas attack, shortly after President Joe Biden’s announcement of unfreezing funds for Iran, raises concerns about the potential link between the release of funds and increased aggression from Iran-backed groups. The attack resulted in the loss of many innocent lives, highlighting the urgency to find a peaceful solution to the ongoing conflicts in the region.
The tensions between the Arab world and Israel have been a complex issue, with various factors contributing to the escalation. While the Abraham Accords under former President Donald Trump marked a significant step towards normalizing relations between Israel and Arab countries, recent events have strained these efforts. It is clear that the Biden administration will need to navigate this delicate situation carefully and work towards finding a lasting resolution to the conflicts.
Saudi Arabia’s shift in focus from Israel to Iran demonstrates the intricacies of diplomatic relations in the region. As the situation continues to evolve, it remains to be seen how these talks with Iran will progress and whether they will lead to a resolution that promotes peace and stability in the Middle East.
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