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The Jewish Independent acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the Traditional Owners and Custodians of Country throughout Australia. We pay our respects to Elders past and present, and strive to honour their rich history of storytelling in our work and mission.

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Iran-Israel war puts Saudi Arabia in a difficult position - The Jewish Independent

From the Saudi perspective, it is undeniable that the IDF and Israel’s intelligence and security services have demonstrated impressive capabilities. However, these same forces are also responsible for the ongoing and unbearable suffering of the Palestinians in Gaza. This means that the success of the Israeli military operation cannot be viewed separately from what is happening in the occupied territories. Any expression of appreciation or recognition for the Israeli strike in Iran is likely to provoke strong reactions across the Arab and Muslim world and risk being seen as support for the Zionist occupier.
Despite its massive investment in the military over the years, Saudi Arabia is unwilling to put its strategic capabilities to the test. The royal family prioritizes preserving the status quo, even if it is fragile and far from ideal. A direct confrontation between Iran and Israel poses a serious threat to the kingdom’s security, as Saudi Arabia fears a harsh Iranian response, if it is perceived as having played a role in the attack.
The Israeli attack on Iran, even if justified and aligned with Saudi Arabia's security interests, carries the risk of escalation and unpredictable nightmare scenarios. Just as the war in Gaza triggered developments no one foresaw (some of which benefited Saudi Arabia, while others did not), a direct confrontation between Israel and Iran could very well intensify and expand the security challenges facing the kingdom.
Moreover, if Iran decides to retaliate by targeting American assets in the Middle East, the United States will likely be compelled to respond. In such a scenario, Washington may call on the Saudi royal family to take an active role in the conflict, potentially dragging the status quo-oriented kingdom into a war it sought to avoid.
It is not an unlikely scenario that, in response to the Israeli attack, Iran could block the Strait of Hormuz or even target oil facilities in Saudi Arabia in an attempt to destabilize the global energy market. In this context, even if Saudi Arabia quietly welcomes Israeli action in Iran and views it as a significant strategic step to weaken Iranian capabilities, that support is mixed with deep concerns about what lies ahead.