CNN
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The United States and Saudi Arabia are sharing information with each other indicating that Iran may be planning an imminent attack on the Middle East, particularly Saudi Arabia’s energy infrastructure, a US official told CNN.
A Saudi official told CNN that Saudi Arabia is sharing information about the possible attack with the United States, but the source did not provide further details.
Another US official said US F-22 fighter jets already in Saudi Arabia could counter any threat.
The first official said US military protection levels were not increased in the region because they were not considered targets. U.S. State Department spokesman Ned Price said Tuesday that the U.S. is “concerned about the threat situation” and “is in constant communication with Saudi Arabia through military, diplomatic and intelligence channels.”
“We will not hesitate to act to protect our interests and our partners in the region,” Price said at a department briefing. It said it was not aware, and confirmed that the State Department should notify the public: The American Civil Community.”
Sources say the US believes Iran may be trying to draw attention to Saudi Arabia.
The Wall Street Journal was the first to report signs of a possible attack by Iran.
Pentagon Press Secretary Brig. General Pat Ryder did not confirm whether there are any specific threats currently, but the Pentagon is “concerned about the threat situation in the region” and “is in regular contact with our Saudi partners.” said.
Iran is Saudi Arabia’s main regional rival, and Riyadh entered into an official tie with Tehran in 2016 after Iranian protesters stormed the Saudi embassy in Tehran in protest over Saudi Arabia’s execution of a Shia cleric. Iran-backed Houthi rebels have also attacked oil facilities in Saudi Arabia and the UAE in recent years, making energy infrastructure a possible target for Iranian provocations in the region. It raises concerns that
Saudi and Iranian officials have met quietly in recent months to discuss security issues, including the war in Yemen between the Houthis and the Saudi-backed military coalition. But a fragile ceasefire between the parties expired last month, sparking renewed tensions between Iran and Saudi Arabia.
