**The relationship between Saudi Arabia, Israel, and Iran is one of the most intricate and often contradictory geopolitical puzzles in the Middle East. On the surface, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia frequently expresses strong condemnation of Israeli actions, particularly concerning the Palestinian issue and any aggressions against its regional rivals. Yet, beneath this public stance, a complex web of strategic interests, security concerns, and shared adversaries often dictates a very different reality, leading many to question: does Saudi Arabia support Israel or Iran? The answer is far from straightforward, revealing a nuanced balancing act driven by survival, regional dominance, and a deep-seated distrust of Iran's ambitions.** This article will delve into the multifaceted dynamics that define Saudi Arabia's approach to both Israel and Iran. We will explore the historical context, the immediate security imperatives, and the underlying strategic calculations that shape Riyadh's foreign policy. By examining recent events and long-standing positions, we aim to provide a comprehensive understanding of why Saudi Arabia's actions can appear contradictory, oscillating between public denunciation and quiet, yet significant, cooperation. ## Table of Contents * [A Paradoxical Stance: Public Condemnation, Private Cooperation](#a-paradoxical-stance-public-condemnation-private-cooperation) * [The Palestinian Question: A Moral Imperative](#the-palestinian-question-a-moral-imperative) * [The Iranian Threat: A Unifying Force](#the-iranian-threat-a-unifying-force) * [The April 2024 Incident: A Clear Example](#the-april-2024-incident-a-clear-example) * [The US Factor: A Cornerstone of Saudi Security](#the-us-factor-a-cornerstone-of-saudi-security) * [Normalization Talks: A Glimmer of Change?](#normalization-talks-a-glimmer-of-change) * [Regional Dynamics and the Gulf States' Dilemma](#regional-dynamics-and-the-gulf-states-dilemma) * [The Houthi Conflict: A Proxy Battleground](#the-houthi-conflict-a-proxy-battleground) * [Balancing Act: Navigating a Volatile Region](#balancing-act-navigating-a-volatile-region) * [Looking Ahead: Future Trajectories](#looking-ahead-future-trajectories) --- ## A Paradoxical Stance: Public Condemnation, Private Cooperation To understand Saudi Arabia's position, one must first acknowledge the apparent paradox. On one hand, Riyadh consistently issues strong statements condemning Israel. For instance, following recent escalations, Saudi Arabia led Arab condemnation of Israel's strikes on Iran, which targeted multiple sites linked to the country’s nuclear program and reportedly killed at least two top officials. Riyadh explicitly stated that it "expresses its strong condemnation and denunciation of the blatant Israeli aggressions against the brotherly Islamic Republic of Iran, which undermine" regional stability. This public stance is not new; it reflects a long-held position rooted in Arab solidarity and the Palestinian cause. However, beneath this veneer of condemnation lies a different reality. In moments of shared threat, particularly from Iran, strategic calculations often override public declarations. This was vividly demonstrated during a critical incident where Saudi Arabia acknowledged that it had helped a newly forged regional military coalition — including Israel, the United States, Jordan, the United Kingdom, and France — repel an Iranian attack. This cooperation, though initially met with reluctance from Arab countries to declare their support publicly, underscores a tactical alignment driven by immediate security needs. Saudi Arabia denied some Israeli reports about their collaboration, while Jordan asserted that it was merely protecting its airspace, highlighting the sensitivity and the need for deniability in such covert operations. This dual approach reveals the deep bind the Saudis find themselves in, balancing public opinion and regional solidarity with pressing security imperatives. ### The Palestinian Question: A Moral Imperative Traditionally, Saudi Arabia has been a staunch champion of the Palestinian cause. This commitment is not merely political; it carries significant moral and popular weight within the Kingdom and across the broader Arab and Islamic world. For Riyadh, openly allying itself with the Jewish state (Israel) that occupies Palestinian territory and has recently been involved in conflicts resulting in significant casualties in Gaza (reportedly killing 33,000) is morally and popularly unacceptable. This is especially true at a time of war, when public sentiment is highly charged. The Palestinian issue remains a cornerstone of Saudi foreign policy and a crucial determinant of its relations with Israel. Any move towards normalization or overt cooperation with Israel must contend with this powerful domestic and regional narrative. The perceived betrayal of the Palestinian people could severely undermine the legitimacy of the Saudi monarchy in the eyes of its own citizens and the wider Muslim world. This explains why, despite strategic convergences, Saudi Arabia maintains its official position of not having diplomatic relations with Israel, even while recent talks of normalization have emerged. The tension between strategic necessity and popular sentiment is a constant challenge for Saudi foreign policy. ## The Iranian Threat: A Unifying Force Despite the public condemnations of Israel, the primary driver behind Saudi Arabia's strategic calculations, and indeed much of the Gulf region's foreign policy, is the perceived threat from the Islamic Republic of Iran. Iran's revolutionary ideology, its pursuit of regional hegemony, its nuclear program, and its extensive network of proxy militias across the Middle East (including Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthis in Yemen, and various groups in Iraq and Syria) are viewed by Riyadh as existential threats. The rivalry between Saudi Arabia, a Sunni-majority kingdom, and Iran, a Shiite-majority republic, has historically manifested as a cold war for regional influence, often playing out through proxy conflicts. This deep-seated animosity led Iran and Saudi Arabia to break off diplomatic relations in 2016, a rupture that underscored the profound mistrust between the two regional powers. During Donald Trump’s first US presidency, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates had pushed for a stronger stance against Iran, and Gulf countries supported Trump’s decision to pull the United States out of the Iran nuclear deal (JCPOA). This alignment with the US on Iran policy highlights the shared strategic objective of containing Iranian influence. ### The April 2024 Incident: A Clear Example The Iranian missile and drone attack on Israel in April 2024 served as a stark illustration of how the Iranian threat can compel unlikely cooperation. When Iran launched a massive barrage, many of the drones and missiles had to travel over Jordanian and Saudi airspace to reach Israel. This geographical reality placed Saudi Arabia in a critical position. Saudi Arabia, along with the United Arab Emirates and Jordan, helped to defend Israel from these missile and drone attacks by Iran. This involvement was crucial in defense, particularly due to the trajectory of the drones over Jordanian and Saudi airspace. While Arab countries that helped Israel in April were reluctant to declare their support publicly, and Saudi Arabia denied some Israeli reports about their collaboration, the operational reality on the ground was undeniable. This incident showcased a pragmatic alignment born out of necessity: a shared interest in preventing an escalation of regional conflict and protecting their own airspace from foreign projectiles, regardless of the ultimate target. Some analysts saw the fact that Arab nations helped Israel and the US repel a major Iranian attack as cause for celebration, viewing it as a sign of a nascent anti-Iran front. However, countries like Jordan and Saudi Arabia were quick to frame their actions as merely protecting their own sovereignty and airspace, rather than an explicit act of supporting Israel. This nuanced response reveals their greater strategic calculus, driven by a desire to avoid being drawn directly into a broader conflict while simultaneously countering a common adversary. ## The US Factor: A Cornerstone of Saudi Security A critical element in understanding Saudi Arabia's foreign policy is its deep dependence on the United States for security. The US has a significant military presence in the Middle East, with bases in a number of countries, including Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states. This security umbrella is vital for Riyadh, especially in the face of perceived Iranian aggression and the ongoing threats from Iran-backed proxies. This dependence places the Saudis in a bind. The same country that provides their security—the United States—is also helping to facilitate the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip, a situation that is morally and popularly unacceptable to the Saudi public and the broader Arab world. This creates a difficult balancing act for Riyadh: maintaining a strong alliance with its primary security guarantor while simultaneously condemning actions taken by a key US ally (Israel) that are deeply unpopular at home. The need for US military support, advanced weaponry, and intelligence sharing against threats like Iran and its proxies often compels Saudi Arabia to align its strategic interests with Washington, even when it means navigating uncomfortable political optics. ## Normalization Talks: A Glimmer of Change? Despite the lack of official diplomatic relations, there have been recent talks of normalization between Saudi Arabia and Israel. These discussions, often facilitated by the United States, represent a potential paradigm shift in regional dynamics. For Israel, normalization with Saudi Arabia would be a significant diplomatic victory, opening doors to broader recognition in the Arab world. For Saudi Arabia, the calculus is more complex. While normalization could bring economic benefits and further solidify a de facto anti-Iran alliance, it comes with immense political risks due to the Palestinian issue. Any move towards normalization would likely require significant concessions from Israel regarding the Palestinian territories, a demand that has historically been difficult to meet. The ongoing conflict in Gaza has further complicated these talks, making it even harder for Saudi Arabia to justify such a move to its public. The UAE was the first country to condemn Israel’s attack on Damascus, something that was also done by Saudi Arabia and all other members of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)—with the exception of Bahrain, which doesn’t share ties with Tehran. This shows that even while some Gulf countries have normalized relations with Israel (like the UAE and Bahrain), the condemnation of Israeli actions, especially those perceived as aggressive or destabilizing, remains a common thread. In short, many Arab countries defended Israel against Iran, but not without reservations, underscoring the delicate balance they must maintain. ## Regional Dynamics and the Gulf States' Dilemma The broader regional dynamics also play a crucial role in shaping Saudi Arabia's stance. The Gulf states, including Saudi Arabia, are increasingly worried that they too could be drawn into the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran. Israel's attacks on Iran are putting immense pressure on these states, forcing them to re-evaluate their positions and strategies. While Saudi Arabia joins a regional coalition to counter Iranian attacks, crucial in defense due to drones traversing its airspace, the underlying fear of direct involvement remains potent. It's highly unlikely that regional powers such as Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, and Turkey would support Iran materially, given their strong alliances with the US and their historical rivalries with Tehran. Their primary goal is to de-escalate tensions and prevent the region from spiraling into a full-blown war that would devastate their economies and stability. This desire for stability often means cooperating with external powers, including the US, to contain threats, even if those threats originate from a country that is also an adversary of Israel. The Gulf states are walking a tightrope, seeking to protect their interests without provoking either side into a conflict that could engulf them all. ## The Houthi Conflict: A Proxy Battleground The conflict in Yemen, where Saudi Arabia has been leading a coalition against the Iran-backed Houthi rebels, serves as another critical lens through which to view Saudi Arabia's relationship with Iran. The Houthis have previously been involved in fighting with many countries in the region, including Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, often launching missile and drone attacks deep into Saudi territory. This ongoing conflict is a direct manifestation of the Saudi-Iran rivalry, with Yemen serving as a proxy battleground. The Houthi threat reinforces Saudi Arabia's strategic alignment with the United States and, by extension, its implicit interest in containing Iran. The US has provided significant support to Saudi Arabia in its efforts against the Houthis, including intelligence sharing and military assistance. This shared adversary further solidifies the US-Saudi security partnership, which indirectly benefits Israel by weakening a common foe. The Houthi attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea have also highlighted the broader destabilizing impact of Iran's proxy network, prompting a wider international response that often sees Saudi and Western interests converge. ## Balancing Act: Navigating a Volatile Region In essence, Saudi Arabia's foreign policy regarding Israel and Iran is a sophisticated balancing act. It is not a simple matter of supporting one over the other, but rather a complex interplay of competing interests, ideological commitments, and pragmatic security concerns. * **Against Iran:** Saudi Arabia views Iran as its primary regional adversary, a destabilizing force that threatens its security and regional dominance. This leads to strategic cooperation with the US and, at times, de facto coordination with Israel to counter Iranian influence and aggression. * **Against Israel (Publicly):** Due to the deeply entrenched Palestinian cause and popular sentiment, Saudi Arabia cannot openly embrace Israel. It must maintain a public stance of condemnation, especially when Israeli actions are perceived as aggressive or harmful to Palestinians. * **Dependence on the US:** The vital security relationship with the United States dictates many of Saudi Arabia's strategic choices, often aligning Riyadh with Washington's broader Middle East policy, which includes containing Iran and supporting Israel's security. * **Regional Stability:** The overarching goal for Saudi Arabia is regional stability and the protection of its economic interests. This means avoiding direct confrontation while simultaneously countering threats from all sides. Their resolve may soon be tested as regional tensions continue to simmer. The Kingdom's ability to navigate these treacherous waters will determine its future role in the Middle East. ## Looking Ahead: Future Trajectories The future of Saudi Arabia's relationships with Israel and Iran remains uncertain, yet certain trends are discernible. The ongoing normalization talks, though paused or slowed by recent conflicts, suggest a long-term strategic interest in formalizing ties with Israel, provided the conditions are right (primarily concerning the Palestinian issue). This would represent a significant shift, potentially reshaping the regional security architecture. Concurrently, the rivalry with Iran is unlikely to abate. While there have been attempts at de-escalation and a resumption of diplomatic ties between Riyadh and Tehran, these are often fragile and subject to the ebb and flow of regional events. The fundamental ideological and geopolitical differences remain. Saudi Arabia will continue to prioritize its security and economic interests, which means maintaining a strong defense posture against Iran and its proxies, often in cooperation with its Western allies. The Kingdom's foreign policy will likely continue to exhibit this dual nature: public condemnation of actions it deems unacceptable, coupled with pragmatic, often covert, cooperation when shared security interests demand it. ## Conclusion **Does Saudi Arabia support Israel or Iran? The answer is neither a straightforward "yes" nor "no." Instead, it's a dynamic, context-dependent strategy that prioritizes Saudi national interests, regional stability, and security against perceived threats.** While Saudi Arabia maintains a public stance of condemning Israeli actions, especially those impacting Palestinians, its deeper strategic calculus often aligns it with Israel and the United States in countering the perceived existential threat posed by Iran. The Kingdom is caught in a complex geopolitical bind, balancing its historical commitment to the Palestinian cause with its pressing security needs and its vital alliance with the US. This intricate dance reflects the harsh realities of Middle Eastern geopolitics, where alliances are fluid, and adversaries can become tactical partners against a common foe. As the region continues to navigate its volatile landscape, Saudi Arabia's nuanced approach will remain a critical factor in shaping its future and the broader balance of power. What are your thoughts on Saudi Arabia's complex foreign policy? Do you believe a full normalization with Israel is inevitable, or will the Palestinian issue always be a stumbling block? Share your insights in the comments below, and don't forget to explore our other articles on Middle Eastern affairs for more in-depth analysis.
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