Saudi Arabia launched strikes against Iran

{"text":[[{"start":5.6,"text":"Saudi Arabia launched multiple strikes against Iran in retaliation for the Islamic republic’s missile and drone attacks on the kingdom during the war initiated by the US and Israel, people briefed on the matter said. "}],[{"start":17.45,"text":"Riyadh carried out the attacks after Iran hit its energy facilities and other civilian infrastructure to show that it was willing to defend itself — but communicated to Tehran that it was not taking part in the broader US-Israeli military campaign against the republic. "}],[{"start":32.65,"text":"The strikes underscore how the war rapidly spiralled into a regional conflagration after Iran lashed out against its Arab neighbours — which are vulnerable to its arsenal of shorter-range missiles — to raise the costs of the conflict to the US, its regional allies and the global economy."}],[{"start":51.8,"text":"Like other Gulf states, Saudi Arabia had urged the US not to start the war and sought to convince President Donald Trump to pursue a diplomatic path to resolve the crisis with Iran, warning that Tehran would strike the oil-rich region’s energy facilities. "}],[{"start":66.39999999999999,"text":"It also told Washington that it would not allow American forces to use its airspace or territory to launch offensive attacks against Iran in an effort to stay out of the conflict after seeking to de-escalate tensions with Tehran in recent years. "}],[{"start":80.49999999999999,"text":"But Riyadh’s attitude shifted after the Islamic regime retaliated against the US-Israeli bombardment by launching barrages of missiles and drones at its Gulf neighbours. "}],[{"start":null,"text":"

"}],[{"start":91.04999999999998,"text":"The decision to launch strikes against Iran was taken to demonstrate to Tehran that Saudi Arabia was willing and able to defend itself. "}],[{"start":99.69999999999999,"text":"Firas Maksad, Middle East director at Eurasia Group, said Riyadh’s aim had been to “maintain deterrence without tipping over into open conflict with Tehran”. "}],[{"start":109.64999999999999,"text":"“From the onset of the war, the Saudis informed the Iranians what will force a reaction and why,” Maksad said. “Even when Saudi Arabia retaliated, communication channels with Iran remained open to limit runaway escalation.”"}],[{"start":123.94999999999999,"text":"Bernard Haykel, a professor of Near Eastern studies at Princeton University, who speaks to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, said it appeared “this was done in a very deliberate and co-ordinated way, with the Iranians being informed by the Saudis and with the aim of reaching a modus vivendi”."}],[{"start":143.1,"text":"More recently, the kingdom has been pushing for de-escalation and has supported Pakistani efforts to mediate a deal to build on a fragile ceasefire and bring an end to the war."}],[{"start":153.04999999999998,"text":"Riyadh did not immediately respond to requests for comment."}],[{"start":156.45,"text":"When Trump launched a military plan last week to guide vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, Saudi Arabia told Washington that it would not allow its bases or airspace to be used in the operation, believing it was an escalatory step that had not been clearly thought through. "}],[{"start":171.75,"text":"The US president then abruptly halted the mission — dubbed “Project Freedom” — just a day after it had begun. "}],[{"start":178.95,"text":"That operation triggered clashes between US and Iranian forces, and Tehran fired more than a dozen missiles and drones at the United Arab Emirates, severely testing the ceasefire the warring parties had agreed on April 8."}],[{"start":191.85,"text":"The UAE, which bore the brunt of Iran’s retaliation, also launched strikes against the republic during the conflict, according to another person familiar with the matter. "}],[{"start":202.15,"text":"The Gulf state began taking defensive measures early in the war, but it started to strike back when Iran hit strategic targets in the UAE, such as petrochemical plants, the person said. "}],[{"start":213.5,"text":"The UAE — which was targeted by some 2,800 Iranian missiles and drones — denied an Israeli report in March that it had launched attacks on Iran, saying it was in a “state of defence in response to the brutal and unprovoked Iranian aggression”."}],[{"start":229.45,"text":"It said it “does not seek to be drawn into conflicts or escalation” but “reaffirms its full right to take all necessary measures to safeguard its sovereignty, national security and territorial integrity”."}],[{"start":242.79999999999998,"text":"Qatar also discussed whether to launch a retaliatory strike against Iran after its main gas facility, Ras Laffan, was hit in an Iranian attack but decided not to and instead prioritised de-escalation, a diplomat said. "}],[{"start":257.75,"text":"Saudi Arabia, which has maintained communications with Iran, has not been hit as hard as other states, partly because much of the kingdom is out of range of the Islamic regime’s short-range missile arsenal. "}],[{"start":269.3,"text":"However, Iran has struck energy facilities in the kingdom, the US embassy in Riyadh and American bases. "}],[{"start":275.85,"text":"The world’s top oil exporter said last month that Iranian attacks had temporarily cut its oil production capacity by 600,000 barrels a day and reduced the flow through the critical East-West pipeline by 700,000 b/d. "}],[{"start":290.6,"text":"The pipeline has enabled Saudi Arabia to continue oil exports despite Iran’s all but closing the Strait of Hormuz, through which about a fifth of the world’s oil and gas normally passes, with the kingdom continuing to sell up to 7mn b/d. "}],[{"start":305.70000000000005,"text":"Efforts to broker a settlement to end the war have floundered with Trump this week saying the ceasefire was “on massive life support” after he rejected Tehran’s counterproposal for a deal to end the war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz."}],[{"start":319.65000000000003,"text":"Diplomats believe there is still scope for a deal, but mediators have so far failed to bridge wide gaps and deep mistrust between the parties, particularly over Iran’s nuclear programme, as both sides believe they have the upper hand."}],[{"start":341.35,"text":""}]],"url":"https://audio.ftcn.net.cn/album/a_1778730859_8666.mp3"}