Saudi Arabia’s recent condemnation of Israel’s military targeting of Iran as a ‘violation of sovereignty’ drips with hypocrisy, especially given the kingdom’s long-standing view of Iran as its principal regional threat. Riyadh’s call for “maximum restraint” is an empty gesture from a regime that has relentlessly pursued policies aimed at countering Iranian influence, often through destructive and covert means. This is a country that, for years, has framed Iran as an existential danger, only to now feign moral outrage when Israel takes military action to check that very same threat.
Behind this facade of righteous indignation lies Saudi Arabia’s deep-seated fear of Iran’s growing regional clout. For decades, Riyadh has viewed Iran as the key destabilizing force in the Middle East, citing Tehran’s involvement in proxy wars, nuclear ambitions, and support for militias across the region. The rivalry between the two powers has shaped Saudi Arabia’s foreign policy at every turn, from its brutal war in Yemen aimed at thwarting Iran-backed Houthi rebels, to its relentless lobbying efforts to keep Iran diplomatically isolated. And yet, despite these aggressive moves to counter its nemesis, Saudi Arabia now takes the moral high ground, denouncing Israel for acting against the very regime it considers a fundamental threat to its own existence.
The dissonance is impossible to ignore. Riyadh’s criticism of Israel’s military actions is not driven by a genuine respect for sovereignty, but by a strategic calculus designed to maintain delicate regional alliances. As Saudi Arabia tentatively explores normalization with Israel, while also seeking détente with Iran, it must project a veneer of even-handedness. This public condemnation of Israel is little more than a political maneuver aimed at managing perceptions—reassuring domestic audiences and placating Muslim allies, all while leaving room for future cooperation with both adversaries.
Saudi Arabia’s plea for “maximum restraint” would carry more weight if its own track record weren’t defined by military aggression and interventionism. From the devastating airstrikes in Yemen to the crushing of uprisings in Bahrain, Riyadh has repeatedly disregarded the sovereignty of others in its pursuit of regional dominance. Its sudden concern for Iran’s territorial integrity is therefore as disingenuous as it is self-serving. In reality, Saudi Arabia and Israel share a common interest in containing Iran, despite their public discord. Their rivalry with Tehran is a strategic imperative for both states—one that transcends the political theater playing out in public statements.
Saudi Arabia’s condemnation of Israel, then, is not a principled stance but a reflection of its ongoing balancing act in a volatile region. While Riyadh positions itself as a voice of moderation, it continues to view Iran as its primary threat, shaping every move it makes on the geopolitical chessboard. The kingdom’s criticism of Israel is a smokescreen—an attempt to mask its own aggressive posturing while cynically exploiting the situation to maintain strategic ambiguity. Far from being a genuine call for peace, this is just another maneuver in Saudi Arabia’s relentless pursuit of regional supremacy.
Leave a Reply