US embassy cables: Saudi king urges US strike on Iran

[oberliner]

Summary

1. King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia repeatedly asks America to attack Iran to stop its nuclear programme. He warns that if Tehran develops a nuclear weapon, then so will the Saudis and other countries in the region. Key passage highlighted in yellow.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/us-embassy-cables-documents/150519

Jordan and Bahrain seemed keen on such an attack as well.

[davidinalameda]

1. wasn't this already public knowledge?

I know that I heard this story

[oberliner]

7. Was it? This explicitly?

I thought the Saudis (and certainly the Jordanians) were not out in the open about these desires.

[davidinalameda]

10. I remember seeing the same story about the Saudis

I don't remember if the story mentioned the Jordanians

[Posteritatis]

11. A few states in the area were, but I don't recall hearing about Saudi Arabia in particular. (nt)

[Rosa Luxemburg]

2. why does the US have to attack Iran? Saudis are nearer and wealthier?

[jeff47]

9. Because the Saudis are close enough to receive a retaliatory strike

We're out of reach of Iran's military, and already under attack by the 'irregular' organizations they support.

[WestSeattle2]

12. I think because a lot of Saudi's hate Israel - since Iran is Israel's

arch enemy, a lot a Saudi's support Iran. The House of Saud, and the United States, do not want to risk an uprising of the Saudi population against their own government.

[Catherina]

3. Double dealings coming to light

US embassy cables: Jordan wary of US engagement with Iran

Thursday, 02 April 2009, 05:49
S E C R E T AMMAN 000813
SIPDIS
NEA/ELA AND INR/TCA
EO 12958 DECL: 04/02/2029
TAGS PREL, PINR, IR, JO
SUBJECT: WARY OF U.S.-IRAN ENGAGEMENT, JORDAN OFFERS WORDS
OF CAUTION
REF: A. STATE 25892 B. 08 AMMAN 3329 C. AMMAN 668 D. 08 AMMAN 3189 E. 08 AMMAN 2660 F. 08 AMMAN 3372
Classified By: Ambassador R. Stephen Beecroft for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)

1. (S) Summary: This cable responds to Ref A request for evaluations of third-country reactions to possible U.S. engagement with Iran. Jordan's leaders believe such engagement would reward regional hardliners while undermining Arab moderates - without convincing Iran to cease its support for terrorism, end its nuclear program or drop its hegemonic aspirations. Jordanian officials argue that the best way to counter Iran's ambitions is to weaken the salience of its radicalism on the Arab street by fulfilling the promise of a "two-state solution," resolving other Arab-Israeli disputes, and making sure that Iraq's political and security institutions are not overwhelmed by Iranian influence when the U.S. drawdown is complete. If U.S.-Iran engagement does proceed in earnest, Jordan hopes to be closely consulted in advance and for its interests to be taken into account. End Summary.

Beware the Iranian Tentacles ... and Cut Them Off

--------------------------------------------- ----

2. (S) The metaphor most commonly deployed by Jordanian officials when discussing Iran is of an octopus whose tentacles reach out insidiously to manipulate, foment, and undermine the best laid plans of the West and regional moderates. Iran's tentacles include its allies Qatar and Syria, Hizballah in Lebanon, Hamas in the Palestinian territories, an Iraqi government sometimes seen as supplicant to Tehran, and Shia communities throughout the region. While Jordanian officials doubt dialogue with the U.S. will convince Iran to withdraw its "tentacles," they believe they can be severed if Iran is deprived of hot-button issues that make it a hero to many on the Arab street, such as its championing of the Palestinian cause.

More http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/us-embassy-cables-documents/200230

[Liberal Veteran]

4. My response to King Abdullah

To the Grand Poobah of Saudi Arabia,

Do your own fucking dirty work and don't ask the US to risk our lives for your country.

Hugs and kisses,

Liberal Veteran.

[Ernesto]

8. works for me!.... nt

[Edweird]

5. What does he need us for? Are they fresh out of boxcutters?

[Liberal Veteran]

6. Now, now. Don't be catty.

:rofl:

[Ishoutandscream2]

14. Bingo! Brilliant fucking response

I'm kicking that!

[toddwv]

13. So the US has become the Dog of War for the Saudi regime?

This is one of the reasons that we went into Iraq, to take heat of the FACT that it was Saudis who planned and implemented the attacks that occurred on 9/11.