Published 16:36 IST, October 24th 2024

Eye on Netanyahu As Iran-Saudi Arabia Hold Unprecedented Joint Naval Exercise In Sea Of Oman

Saudi Arabia has closed its airspace to Israel after Tehran warned it could not protect Saudi oil infrastructure if Israel retaliates against Iran.

Reported by: Digital Desk
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu | Image: PTI/file
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Israel: Saudi Arabia, which assisted Israel in repelling Iran's initial bombing in April, has closed its airspace as a path for Israel's retaliation, as per three Gulf officials quoted by Reuters. The latest move has come after Iran told Saudi that it may not be able to protect its oil facilities in case Israel target infrastructure in the country.

It is to be mentioned that Israel had warned about targeting oil and nuclear facilities in Iran after the latter launched over a 100 ballistic missiles towards Tel Aviv in retaliation to killing of Hezbollah's former general secretary Hassan Nasrallah.

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World is anticipating Netanyahu's response when Saudi Arabia has denied access of its airspace to Israel.

As the Gulf prepares for a possible Israeli strike on Iran, the exercises demonstrate the extent to which Gulf states are willing to turn away from Israel. 

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Meanwhile, the BRICS summit 2024 witnessed the presence of nations like Russia, Iran, and Saudi Arabia. The US and Israel might have felt cornered. 

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Following these turn of events, Tehran informed Saudi Arabia that it could not ensure the security of Saudi oil infrastructure in the event that Israel carried out a rumoured plan to attack Iranian oil installations, an Iranian official told the Agency.

Saudi Arabia recently conducted military drills in the Sea of Oman with Iran and other nations, the country's defense ministry spokesperson told AFP on Wednesday.

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“The Royal Saudi Naval Forces had recently concluded a joint naval exercise with the Iranian Naval Forces alongside other countries in the Sea of Oman,” Brigadier General Turki al-Malki told AFP.

16:09 IST, October 24th 2024