Abdulaziz
Not just Israel is scrambling to adjust to Obama’s capitulation to Iran. “Saudi prince to Iran: We won’t sit idly by,” from the Times of Israel, November 24:
In an acerbic interview shortly before the Geneva interim deal was signed, a senior Saudi diplomat issued a rare direct threat to Iran, warning that “all options are available” should the international community fail to rein in Iran’s alleged drive to acquire nuclear weapons.
The statement from Prince Mohammed bin Nawaf bin Abdulaziz, the Saudi ambassador to London, came as talks between Iran and the P5+1 group of world powers were in full swing in Geneva.
In his interview with the Times of London (paywall) on Friday, Prince Mohammad also voiced unusually abrasive criticism of the West for what he said was a too-soft approach to Iran, calling Washington’s “rush” to engage with Tehran “incomprehensible.”
Still, he was adamant in dispelling reports that common interests had driven Riyadh to ally itself with Israel.
“Appeasement hasn’t worked in the past, and I don’t think it will work in the 21st century,” he was quoted as saying. “That is why the frustration really is toward the main players within the United Nations Security Council, that’s their responsibility. And they will share also the blame, whatever deal comes out, they are responsible for it.”
The prince, a nephew of Saudi King Abdullah, invoked the prospect of a confrontation with Iran, saying, “We are not going to sit idly by and receive a threat there and not think seriously how we can best defend our country and our region.”…