Suddenly says the word – new country may enter the war

Hans Österman

Updated 13.01 | Published 05.50

           

          Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud. Photo: Thomas Mukoya / AP

For almost three weeks, neighboring countries have protested against Iran's revenge attacks.

No one has openly threatened to respond militarily – until now.

– We are not afraid to defend our country, said the Saudi foreign minister.

Israel and the US started the war against 

Iran

 and killed Ayatollah Khamenei on Saturday, February 28. Iran responded directly with missiles and drones against both Israel and the neighboring Muslim countries.

The attacks have been directed both at American bases in the region and civilian targets. Before Ali Khamenei had even been confirmed dead, luxury hotels and other tourist destinations in Dubai were attacked, for example.

was faced with what experts called “

 an impossible choice ”

early on – to passively take the beating or to join the same war as Israel.

The countries have repeatedly condemned Iran’s attacks, both individually and through their cooperative organization, the GCC, but none has openly spoken of war.

“The Iranians must understand”

On Wednesday, it happened.

After a meeting of the foreign ministers of twelve Muslim countries in Riyadh, 

Saudi Arabia's

foreign minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud, held a press conference.

He was asked directly by CNN: Are you going to join the war and if so, when?

In English, he gave a lengthy statement in which he began by condemning Iran’s attack on two oil refineries in Saudi Arabia while the meeting was underway:

– I cannot see it as a coincidence. That is the clearest signal of how Iran views diplomacy. They do not believe in talking to their neighbors. They are trying to pressure their neighbors. I can say categorically: It will not work. The kingdom will not bow to pressure.

Then he answered the question:

– And certainly, as we have expressed quite clearly, we have reserved the right to take military action if deemed necessary. If that moment comes, the leadership of the kingdom will take the necessary decisions. We will not shy away from defending our country. The Iranians must understand that this has consequences.

“Very significant capabilities”

Earlier in March, Axios reported that the United Arab Emirates was also in discussions about responding militarily to Iran. The Saudi foreign minister did not name any countries but hinted that more could enter the war.

– “It is important for the Iranians to understand that , as well as its partners that have been attacked, have very significant capabilities and capabilities that they can deploy, if they choose to do so,” the prince said.

Then he hinted that there is a deadline.

– The patience being shown is not infinite. Do the Iranians have a day, two days or a week? I am not going to say that. I would hope that they get the message and think again quickly and stop attacking their neighbors. But I doubt that they have that sense.
How they can respond

Overnight, the nineteenth in a row, there were continued reports of Iranian attacks on countries in the region. There is no concrete information on how they could respond militarily, but Rob Geist Pinfold, an expert at King’s College in London, recently told Al Jazeera that it would probably be through a joint task force.

Another option, which he considers less likely, is for the Gulf countries to open their airspace and air bases to US fighter jets.