This page has been archived and commenting is disabled.

"It's None Of Saudi Arabia's Business": Iran Lashes Out At US, Allies After Syria Talks

Tyler Durden's picture




 

Last week, in “Obama, Kerry Throw In The Towel: US Prepared To Accept Assad Regime In Syria,” we noted that for the first time, Washington and Riyadh had begrudgingly allowed Tehran to have a seat at the table in negotiations for a political “solution” to the crisis in Syria. This of course makes sense given that it is indeed Iran and its proxy armies that are doing the vast majority of the fighting on the ground in support of Assad (they’re also doing the vast majority of the fighting in Iraq but that, for now anyway, is another story). 

Of course this makes for an extraordinarily awkward scenario. This is the US, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey attempting to negotiate with Russia and Iran in the same room and when the doors close and the media aren’t within earshot, you can bet the “diplomacy” goes out the window. After all, Russia and Iran are well aware that the West and its regional allies have been funneling guns and money to ISIS, al-Nusra, and God only knows who else for years in an effort not only to oust Bashar al-Assad, but to undermine Shiite influence in the Arabian Peninsula. That’s not exactly the kind of thing that diplomats can simply look past even if they want to, and on the other side of the equation, Moscow and Tehran are pretty clearly looking to encircle Saudi Arabia and boot the US from the region in what amounts to a Mid-East coup.

Making matters worse (or at least more surreal) is the Iran nuclear deal. In short, it makes Washington look completely ridiculous that Tehran has now essentially invaded a country that shares a border with Israel on the way to bolstering not only the capabilities of Hezbollah, but their international reputation as well (the group is now apparently a “liberator” of nations). Meanwhile, Netanyahu is virtually powerless to do anything about it, as Putin has effectively established a no-fly zone over Syria. 

In short: it would be fun to be a fly on the wall in Vienna about now. 

Well sure enough, we’re starting to get a look at just how contentious the talks have become. As Reuters reports, it only took one meeting for Iran to lose patience with the Saudis. Here’s more: 

Iran said on Monday it would pull out of Syria peace talks if it found them unconstructive, citing the "negative role" of its main regional adversary Saudi Arabia, according to state Iranian media.

 

World and regional powers including Iran and Saudi Arabia met in Vienna on Friday to discuss a political solution to Syria's civil war but failed, as expected, to reach a consensus on the future of President Bashar al-Assad. Iran backs Assad in the war while Saudi Arabia supports rebels seeking to oust him.

 

It was the first time Tehran and Riyadh were at the same table to tackle a war that has evolved into a wider proxy struggle for regional dominance between Russia and Iran on Assad's side and Turkey, U.S.-allied Gulf Arab states and Western powers who support rebels to various degrees.

 

"In the first round of talks, some countries, especially Saudi Arabia, played a negative and unconstructive role … Iran will not participate if the talks are not fruitful," ISNA cited deputy Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian as saying.

And while Iran accuses the Saudis of “playing a negative role”, the Saudis have of course accused Iran of “occupying” Syria: 

At a regional security conference in Bahrain on Saturday, Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir said a major stumbling block to agreement at the Vienna talks had to do with the timing of the departure of Assad.

 

"The second has to do with the timing and the means of the withdrawal of foreign forces from Syria – in particular, Iranian forces, which, incidentally, we view as an occupying force," Jubeir added.

As we’ve noted on a number of occasions, Iran was invited to Syria by the government. ISIS and al-Nusra most certainly were not, so there’s a certain degree to which the “occupying” force is in fact that Saudis and their proxy armies. In any event, back to Reuters: 

Iran's Abdollahian said Jubeir was insisting that "those present in the meeting should decide the fate of the legal president of Syria ... instead of the Syrian people." He also denied that Iran had any combat forces in Syria.

 

"They are military advisers who went there at the request of Syrian regime to fight against terrorism," he said.

 

"We said that Iran has increased its presence in Syria in recent weeks. It's none of Saudi Arabia's business how the Islamic Republic is fighting against terrorism."

It’s hard to argue with that, and if that’s the kind of rhetoric that’s getting leaked to the press, you can only imagine what’s being said behind closed doors.

Of course we would note again that this is just further confirmation that the US is on the wrong side of history here. No one is saying that the Ayatollah or Bashar al-Assad are the most benevolent leaders in the history of statecraft, but Washington is supporting regimes that are directly aiding the very same Sunni extremists that the Western media are holding up to the world as the scourge of humanity. As Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard said last week, that borders on the insane. 

Meanwhile, even Stratfor is out noting that a deeper dialogue between Washington and Tehran is inevtiable given Iran's stepped up role in international affairs: 

"Despite Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's repeated warnings that Iran cannot trust the United States in discussions beyond the nuclear issue, the reality is that the nuclear deal was merely the stepping stone to a much broader strategic dialogue."

Yes, a "strategic dialogue" which one imagines will be particularly amusing, as Washington attempts to explain why Iran has been banished to the status of pariah state and relegated to an "Axis of Evil," while the Saudis (who have executed 142 people this year) are somehow the "good guys" even though they're supporting the very same extremists everyone claims to be fighting.

Finally, in yet another example of a leader the Western public used to look upon as an enemy making statements that suddenly seem remarkably sober, here's the Ayatollah's opinion on the idea that a group of foreign powers should be allowed to decide the political fate of a soveriegn state:

"There's no point in other countries getting together and deciding about a system of government and the head of that state. This is a dangerous innovation which no government in the world would accept being imposed on itself. The solution to Syria's problem is elections."

So there you have it America. You are now being lectured on democracy by Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. 

Alexis de Tocqueville is rolling in his grave. 

We close with the following brief excerpt from Reuters:

Russian state-owned arms exporter Rosoboronexport said on Monday it is preparing a contract to supply Iran with S-300 missile systems, Interfax news agency reported.

 

- advertisements -

Comment viewing options

Select your preferred way to display the comments and click "Save settings" to activate your changes.
Mon, 11/02/2015 - 14:10 | 6740215 Johnny Horscaulk
Johnny Horscaulk's picture

who gives a fuck what Vichy Washington is "prepared to accept?"

The absurd hubris of a dying, belligerent empire.

Mon, 11/02/2015 - 14:14 | 6740229 Jack Burton
Jack Burton's picture

Well said actually. +100

The peak empire has been reached, the take down of Ukraine on Russian's border was the line past which the USA can't step any further without thermo nuclear war. So how will Washington react to the beginning of the end, brought on by American economic rot that spreads across the nation that may soon have more people not working than working, while printing dollars to fund a full 50% of every penny government spends. That is a dying empire. All we need ask is "how belligerent it will become".

Mon, 11/02/2015 - 14:21 | 6740242 Looney
Looney's picture

There was a tiny blip of a news about a month ago that Iran’s Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had strictly prohibited any contacts with American companies, governmental agencies, NGOs, etc.

He said that such contacts, no matter how small and insignificant, help America to exert influence over their country.

It sounds like a wise move, if you ask me.  ;-)

Looney

Mon, 11/02/2015 - 14:32 | 6740267 Deathrips
Deathrips's picture

"It's none of Saudi Arabia's business how the Islamic Republic is fighting against terrorism."
Mans got a point. Hope they remember that americans dont control USaudreal MIC.

 

RIPS

Mon, 11/02/2015 - 15:18 | 6740475 Paveway IV
Paveway IV's picture

"...Meanwhile, Netanyahu is virtually powerless to do anything about it, as Putin has effectively established a no-fly zone over Syria..."

Not according to Israeli press, which has gleefully reported: Israel Air Force Strikes Hezbollah, Regime Facilities in Syria which occurred on Friday and reported on Saturday, although the story was mostly ignored outside of Israel. 

Mon, 11/02/2015 - 15:47 | 6740600 dcohen
dcohen's picture

It is ignored because Israel, when checkmated, makes stuff up, because the fascist government in Israel must save face and project strength for domestic consumption.

Mon, 11/02/2015 - 16:56 | 6740906 BarkingCat
BarkingCat's picture

They could have done it. They are belligerent assholes.

However one time they will venture into Syria and not come back.

 

or worse, they will venture into Syria and attack a target that has Russian personnel. After that they might get some cruise missiles rain down on their military airfields.

Mon, 11/02/2015 - 16:56 | 6740907 BarkingCat
BarkingCat's picture

They could have done it. They are belligerent assholes.

However one time they will venture into Syria and not come back.

 

or worse, they will venture into Syria and attack a target that has Russian personnel. After that they might get some cruise missiles rain down on their military airfields.

Mon, 11/02/2015 - 22:27 | 6742447 Majestic12
Majestic12's picture

""It's None Of Saudi Arabia's Business""

Say "what" agin...! [Samuel L. Jackon's voice]

Mon, 11/02/2015 - 14:48 | 6740347 rejected
rejected's picture

"Peak Empire"

That's great Jack! Hope you don't mind me using that.

Mon, 11/02/2015 - 14:23 | 6740252 Anonymous User
Anonymous User's picture

Washington under Obama became just like this:

http://www.thepornster.net/mobile/watch/473/

Mon, 11/02/2015 - 14:31 | 6740275 Bloppy
Bloppy's picture

As long as Obama is president, the media will never hold the US responsible for its foreign policy ineptitude. They don't even report it.

 

 

 

Carly Fiorina to confront heckling hosts on The View: ‘Man up!’

http://tinyurl.com/nr5zywf

Tue, 11/03/2015 - 03:22 | 6743047 conscious being
conscious being's picture

The problem with America is much greater than Barry. Barry will wind up the personification of evil in the new Punch and Judy show.

Mon, 11/02/2015 - 15:53 | 6740218 KnuckleDragger-X
KnuckleDragger-X's picture

Foriegn policy is an obsolete concept now that President Zippy and Ketchup-Boy are in charge. I know that everybody prefers the various conspiracy theories, but good old fashioned incompetence works faster.......

Mon, 11/02/2015 - 14:12 | 6740220 Mentalic
Mentalic's picture

Full circle indeed !

Mon, 11/02/2015 - 14:15 | 6740235 franciscopendergrass
franciscopendergrass's picture

Full circle jerk, you mean

Mon, 11/02/2015 - 14:12 | 6740221 SMC
SMC's picture

“makes Washington look completely ridiculous.”

Washington is completely ridiculous.

Mon, 11/02/2015 - 14:13 | 6740224 Neil Patrick Harris
Neil Patrick Harris's picture

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, becon of democracy, champion of human rights... compared to the Saudis at least.

Mon, 11/02/2015 - 14:26 | 6740259 Johnny Horscaulk
Johnny Horscaulk's picture

compared to Likud as well.

Mon, 11/02/2015 - 16:46 | 6740857 HowdyDoody
HowdyDoody's picture

And the US 'drone Tuesday' Government

Mon, 11/02/2015 - 14:26 | 6740230 pashley1411
pashley1411's picture

Funny how a country suddenly gets a spine when Putin is in their corner.    Not to mention President Xi Jinping of whats-that-country, who last week challenged the biggest navy in the world to bring it on.

Future historians will note how the former American empire got punched in the nose in Ukraine, Syria, islands off the coast of China; areas of the globe American has NEVER had influence before.     Empires die not in their capitals, but when they try to march on Moscow

Bet we are going to see ALOT of this in the near future.

 

Mon, 11/02/2015 - 17:47 | 6741134 Bumpo
Bumpo's picture

Bullies deserved to be punched in the nose. Everyone loves it, actually.

Mon, 11/02/2015 - 14:15 | 6740234 To Hell In A Ha...
To Hell In A Handbasket's picture

Washington has become a joke and it's entire narrative is coming apart at the seams. The empire is crumbling, it's imperialism is seen for what it is and it's elite has become detached from their own citizzens and more frequently, reality itself. The hubris of the U.S knows no bounds.

Mon, 11/02/2015 - 14:19 | 6740246 Callz d Ballz
Callz d Ballz's picture

"elections" when only ISIS is left. 

Mon, 11/02/2015 - 14:25 | 6740256 buzzsaw99
buzzsaw99's picture

i think elections in saudi is a good idea

Mon, 11/02/2015 - 14:25 | 6740257 Johnny Horscaulk
Johnny Horscaulk's picture

two things:

1. Israel, too, is "behind" ISIS. coordinated with them on airstrikes multiple times. It is curious that Israel is absent from the list of countries behind ISIS over and over in these articles.

2. "Netanyahu is virtually powerless to do anything about it, as Putin has effectively established a no-fly zone over Syria." Except for the airstrikes on Hezbollah forces fighting ISIS in SW Lebanon yesterday. Part of a broader operation to help ISIS

www.moonofalabama.org/2015/10/us-stopped-syria-air-strikes-while-nusra-a...

3. While nobody I know likes or respects the mullahs, or indeed, religious nuts with armies, America overthrew their government, stole {basically} their oil, and armed Saddam with chemical weapons as the US and Israel armed both sides of the Iran/Iraq war. Iran's vilification has largely been absurd, filtered through the Zionist prism. That they provide Hamas those rockets is despicable. That they support Hezbollah is laudable. But no matter how you slice it, Iran has killed fewer people than either the US or Israel these past 30 years - and were US foreign policy not hijacked by AIPAC and neocon think tanks - the US and Iran would be natural allies and we'd be using soft pressure to assist young iranians in rolling back the power of the mullahs in coming years.

Instead we get a bought and paid for US government fellating the batshit crazy Zionist right and risking nuclear war.

Mon, 11/02/2015 - 14:31 | 6740261 Grandad Grumps
Grandad Grumps's picture

"Washington attempts to explain why Iran has been banished to the status of pariah state and relegated to an "Axis of Evil," while the Saudis (who have executed 142 people this year) are somehow the "good guys" even though they're supporting the very same extremists everyone claims to be fighting."

More evidence that the US government is separate and apart from the US people and an entity in and of itself, holding the US people captive. What would the US people say about Saudi Arabia?

Mon, 11/02/2015 - 14:29 | 6740266 rejected
rejected's picture

Gawd it's embarrassing having Washington declared totalitarian governments explaining Basic 101 Democracy to the greatest democracy ever!

Mon, 11/02/2015 - 14:31 | 6740273 lasvegaspersona
lasvegaspersona's picture

The real problem for the USA is now that ISIS is being fought by Iran, the American people may start to see Iran as a positive force in the region and not merely the third spoke on the 'axis of evil'. This could mess up a generation of propaganda and allow Russia and Iran emerge as forces for good.

This is the real problem with making ISIS into the biggest force of evil in the world today (and then inneffectively trying to eliminate them).

Mon, 11/02/2015 - 17:51 | 6741149 Bumpo
Bumpo's picture

Wha'ts wrong with the Truth coming out? Time for the real criminals to be unmasked, don't you think?

Mon, 11/02/2015 - 14:31 | 6740274 Reichstag Fire Dept.
Reichstag Fire Dept.'s picture

I always thought the reason for giving Iran a "nuclear deal" was to blame a future nuclear attack on them and their obviously secret nuclear weapons program. I could be wrong...

Mon, 11/02/2015 - 14:58 | 6740405 Johnny Horscaulk
Johnny Horscaulk's picture

yours is my favorite username so far.

Mon, 11/02/2015 - 14:36 | 6740304 exartizo
exartizo's picture

A Totalitarian Regime claiming that "elections" would work in Syria. 

 

Priceless.

Mon, 11/02/2015 - 14:37 | 6740310 yomutti
yomutti's picture

Well, it's really none of Iran's business either, is it?

Mon, 11/02/2015 - 14:42 | 6740327 Berspankme
Berspankme's picture

They were invited by an elected leader of a sovereign nation. Iran has every right to be there

Mon, 11/02/2015 - 17:53 | 6741159 Bumpo
Bumpo's picture

Plus it's Iran and Russia that say let the Syrian's decide. The US and its fuck buddies want to 'negotiate' who runs Syria. What the Fuck

Mon, 11/02/2015 - 19:42 | 6741717 bid the soldier...
bid the soldiers shoot's picture

It is if Assad asked Iran to make it their business.  

You are obviously an adherent of the Mutant Monroe Doctrine, which allows America to chose 

EVERY LEADER OF EVERY COUNTRY IN THE WORLD

 

(provided they're not too strong)

Mon, 11/02/2015 - 14:44 | 6740336 11b40
11b40's picture

Russia needs to give Iran a few nukes.

Then, we could start giving our client states nukes, too. 

It really is too bad Iraq and Libya did not have them, & Syria, as well.  No nations actually fuck with No Korea, Pakistan, India, or Israel, because they have nukes.

Soon, we could bring the troops home and let these countries resolve their own differences, however they might decide.  There would either be a long period of peace....or maybe not so much.

Mon, 11/02/2015 - 14:48 | 6740341 Kaiser Sousa
Kaiser Sousa's picture

off topic but thought u guys might wanna know...

they r protesting in from of the CRIMEX in Chicago against Wall St. and wealth inequality...

shit is comin u best believe...

Mon, 11/02/2015 - 14:47 | 6740346 Latitude25
Latitude25's picture

This is a dangerous innovation which no government in the world would accept being imposed on itself. The solution to Syria's problem is elections."

So Greece, Spain and pretty much the rest of the EU and the US are "democratically" being screwed by a group of financiers and this doesn't qualify as fascism.  

Mon, 11/02/2015 - 14:49 | 6740357 To Hell In A Ha...
To Hell In A Handbasket's picture

Fuck the camel shagging, goat herders AKA the Kleptocratic House of Saud. These cunts are a stain on the region and the mere fact the U.S are shoulder to shoulder with Saudis, exposes the U.S, as the biggest hypocrits of all. Sometimes the double standards is just too much to accept.

Mon, 11/02/2015 - 16:35 | 6740799 Macon Richardson
Macon Richardson's picture

Isn't Under the Double Standard a John Philip Souza march? I know he wrote Hell to the Chef to honor those evil people who cook up this shit that passes for governance in America.

Mon, 11/02/2015 - 14:53 | 6740379 kalboking
kalboking's picture

John Oliver noted everyone is at table deciding the fate of Syria except for the Syrians.

USA , Saudis, Turkey, Russia, Iran,Quatar are at a meeting deciding the future of Syria.

 

Fuck them. Future of Syria is in hands of Syrians. Not douche bag jew worshipping westerners

Mon, 11/02/2015 - 15:09 | 6740444 ILLILLILLI
ILLILLILLI's picture

Sounds like the same thing that happened to Palestine...

Mon, 11/02/2015 - 15:09 | 6740443 Sergeiab
Sergeiab's picture

jafar panahi taxi

Mon, 11/02/2015 - 15:10 | 6740447 foxenburg
foxenburg's picture

"In short, it makes Washington look completely ridiculous that Tehran has now essentially invaded a country that shares a border with Israel....."

 

If we're talking about Syria, there was no invasion. Russia and Iran are there at the explicit invitation of the Syrian govt.

Mon, 11/02/2015 - 15:21 | 6740458 bid the soldier...
bid the soldiers shoot's picture

Criticizing the self-righteous, the sanctimonious, and the hypocritical.

A fool's errand if ever there was one. 

Mon, 11/02/2015 - 15:22 | 6740498 Dickweed Wang
Dickweed Wang's picture

World and regional powers including Iran and Saudi Arabia met in Vienna on Friday to discuss a political solution to Syria's civil war but failed, as expected, to reach a consensus on the future of President Bashar al-Assad

 

When did it become acceptable for a bunch of foreign powers to decide the fate of the elected president of a sovereign country??  It's good to see at least Russia and the President of the UN have come out against this.  What would be the reaction in the USA if 20 countries were having a conference to determine whether Obama (or any president for that matter) should "go"??  Hypocrisy at its finest . . . .

Mon, 11/02/2015 - 15:41 | 6740575 o r c k
o r c k's picture

And look how our US free press is pursuing this injustice by engaging in dangerous investigative reporting and neutral fact-finding. Making sure Americans know the whole truth and nothing but the truth and holding to their Constitutional duties as the peoples watchdog. We observe these fearless truth-tellers with increasing pride and SARCASM.

Mon, 11/02/2015 - 15:42 | 6740581 J Jason Djfmam
J Jason Djfmam's picture

But "Assad must go"!

 

Mon, 11/02/2015 - 15:36 | 6740558 ajkreider
ajkreider's picture

I'm not sure people undertand the difference between democracy and a liberal representative republic.  The former allows you to do things like vote yourself other people's money, and strip the minority of rights.  The latter, with individual rights etc, doesn't.

There's no reason at all to favor the former (unless you're in a permanent majority).  Fascist states often have the support of the majority.  Which is why democracy shouldn't be supported in Syria.  Assad has  no interest in respecting the rights of the opposition.  It's also why Venezuela and Iran are not good democracies either.  

People should read the "Republic" more.

Mon, 11/02/2015 - 15:45 | 6740591 J Jason Djfmam
J Jason Djfmam's picture

More and more, the good old USA is becoming just like Syria, Venezuela, Iran, Etc.

Mon, 11/02/2015 - 16:05 | 6740677 theprofromdover
theprofromdover's picture

Now, wouldn't it be a terrible thing if an Israeli fighter jet strayed over the Syrian border and got accidentally shot down by persons unknown. What would the odds of that be, I wonder Mr N.

Mon, 11/02/2015 - 16:15 | 6740709 Joe A
Joe A's picture

US foreign policy regarding the ME has focused on the wrong opponents. Instead of these long, deadly and costly wars in Iraq, Lybia and Syria they should have focused on bringing down Iran. After that they could have rolled up all the other countries. Better of course would have been if they hadn't done anything at all. Unless of course the plan was to throw the whole region into chaos.

Mon, 11/02/2015 - 16:32 | 6740774 Monetas
Monetas's picture

The fighting around Aleppo is barbaric .... watch out Latakia ?

Mon, 11/02/2015 - 19:30 | 6741663 bid the soldier...
bid the soldiers shoot's picture

Wait

watch out Latakia 

Don't you mean Latvia?  All of your potato face cousins in Riga?

Mon, 11/02/2015 - 16:36 | 6740807 AlamoJack
AlamoJack's picture

For more years than I can count, I have revolted and cringed when people characterize the US as a DEMOCRACY.  Democracy was NEVER INTENDED.  Too many uneducated dorks in our country these days.

Mon, 11/02/2015 - 16:58 | 6740903 Monetas
Monetas's picture

The next time you're in Haifa .... try the local fruit salads .... fresh from the Kibbutz .... garnished with granola, cottage cheese, Golan heights wild honey, a pinch of raisins and a stewed prune or two .... excellent stool builder .... takes your mind off the Muslim carnage .... Arab Spring, etc. .... Shalom !

Mon, 11/02/2015 - 20:42 | 6741978 honestann
honestann's picture

You know a pack of predators has reached the limit of depravity, viciousness and arrogance when they openly discuss how they should shred their victims (millions).

That's the USSA and allies today.

Tue, 11/03/2015 - 00:47 | 6742876 onmail1
onmail1's picture

At some point of time a flashpoint has to be reached

For the Nuclear Holocaust

------

Iran : keep on dragging the matter, gain time , in order to develop the bombgrade uranium, but secretly. However your all leaders & politician should speak as if spewing flowers , talk peace. Learn the tricks of trade.

Do NOT follow this link or you will be banned from the site!