It's On: Saudi Arabia Severs Diplomatic Ties With Iran, "Does Not Care" If It Has Angered White House

Tyler Durden's picture




 

Earlier today, as Iranian police struggled to disperse protesters gathered outside the Saudi consulate in Mashhad, we said the following about the rapidly deteriorating situation:

If crude needed an excuse to rally, then surely this is it as it now appears that in addition to the fact that Riyadh and Tehran are squaring off in Syria (where Iran is present and the Saudis fight by proxy) and Yemen (where the Saudis are present and the Iranians fight by proxy), the two countries are on the verge of a historic diplomatic crisis which has the potential to stoke sectarian violence across the Muslim world.

Well sure enough, just hours later, Saudi Foreign Minister Adel Al-Ahmad Al-Jubeir announced that Riyadh has cut diplomatic ties with Tehran. The Saudis have demanded the Iran mission leave the country within 48 hours.

Jubeir said the attack in Tehran was in line with what he said were earlier Iranian assaults on foreign embassies there and with Iranian policies of destabilizing the region by creating "terrorist cells" in Saudi Arabia.

"The kingdom, in light of these realities, announces the cutting of diplomatic relations with Iran and requests the departure of delegates of diplomatic missions of the embassy and consulate and offices related to it within 48 hours. The ambassador has been summoned to notify them," he said.

Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Adel Al-Jubeir

Riyadh also claims Iran did not attempt to stop protesters from storming the consulate.

Here's are the main bullet points:

  • SAUDI TO FIGHT TERRORISM IN ALL OF ITS FORMS: AL-JUBEIR
  • IRAN HAS SPREAD CHAOS, SECTARIANISM IN REGION, MINISTER SAYS
  • AL-JUBEIR COMMENTS BROADCAST ON AL-EKHBARIYA SAUDI STATE TV
  • ALL OPTIONS ON TABLE TO PROTECT SAUDIS, FOREIGN MINISTER SAYS
  • IRAQ PROMISED TO PROTECT SAUDI DIPLOMATIC MISSIONS: AL-JUBEIR
  • SAUDI ARABIA DETERMINED NOT TO ALLOW IRAN TO UNDERMINE SAUDI SECURITY-FOREIGN MINISTER

Promptly thereafter, Washington responded to Saudi Arabia's decision by calling for leaders throughout the region to take "affirmative steps" to reduce tensions, Reuters reports.

"We're aware of reports that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has ordered the closure of Iranian diplomatic missions in the Kingdom," an Obama administration official said.

"We believe that diplomatic engagement and direct conversations remain essential in working through differences and we will continue to urge leaders across the region to take affirmative steps to calm tensions."

However, at this point the Saudis are beyond caring what Obama thinks, and made that quite clear. As reported previously, here’s the latest out of Riyadh, via Reuters:

  • SAUDI ARABIA DOES NOT CARE IF IT HAS ANGERED THE WHITE HOUSE, SOURCE FAMILIAR WITH SAUDI GOVERNMENT'S THINKING SAYS: RTRS
  • SAUDI ARABIA'S POSITION TOWARD IRAN IS 'ENOUGH IS ENOUGH,' SOURCE  FAMILIAR WITH SAUDI GOVERNMENT'S THINKING SAYS: RTRS

For those who might have missed it, the situation began to unravel on Saturday after Riyadh said it had executed prominent Shiite cleric Nimr al-Nimr along with 46 other prisoners. Protesters poured into the streets from Bahrain to Pakistan and before the night was done, the Saudi embassy in Tehran was in flames. 

All of this comes as Iran is projecting its influence in Iraq, Syria, and Yemen, posing a threat to Saudi regional hegemony just as international sanctions on Tehran are set to be lifted. 

The comments from Al-Jubeir seem to indicate that Riyadh is set to step up efforts to rein in the so-called "Shiite crescent", possibly by getting more involved in Syria, doubling down on the kingdom's commitment to the fight in Yemen, and, quite possibly, taking a more assertive role in Iraq by using the fight against ISIS as a smokescreen for some manner of intervention. 

It's also worth noting how absurd it is for the Saudis to suggest that the Iranians are the ones "spreading chaos and sectarianism" in the region. After all, it wasn't Tehran that just executed a prominent member of another sect and it's not Iran that preaches a dangerous, ultra puritanical interpretation of Islam similar to that which Sunni extremists use to justify the execution of apostates. Further, it wasn't Iran that destabilized Syria by fanning the flames of sectarian discord.

In any event, this an exceptionally serious situation that could well mushroom into a direct conflict between the two countries which are already on opposite sides of multiple regional proxy wars.

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Mon, 01/04/2016 - 09:17 | 6994785 skepsis101
skepsis101's picture

Huh?  What hole did you crawl out of 27 days ago?

Sun, 01/03/2016 - 20:26 | 6992865 Sparkey
Sparkey's picture

Squid if it is going to happen anyway why shouldn't we indulge in a little superiority ? There is nothing we can do except feel good about it if we can, the first rule of being a Winner is to think you are!

Sun, 01/03/2016 - 22:56 | 6993553 SuperRay
SuperRay's picture

These morons were desert nomads organized by tribes right into the 20th century.  The only reason they became nations was the peace agreements after the first world war.  Their culture is backward and their religion is akin to the dark ages in Europe. They've been killing each other for centuries.  Mohammed was an epileptic, just like St Paul and many other religious figures, and their blind faith is really scary.  Unfortunately, the oil magnates in this country prevented any move away from foreign oil as an energy source, linking us with this backward, barbaric culture.  Of course, corporate leaders are equally barbaric now, and we're about to enter a new dark age.  Fuck those barbarians, fuck the corporate barbarians, and Fuck you, with you apologist neoliberal bullshit.

Mon, 01/04/2016 - 09:24 | 6994823 skepsis101
skepsis101's picture

Super, this is a serious inquiry, not an attack.  How is it I can agree with nearly everything you just said, except your last phrase calling the previous commenter's reference to the US sowing chaos to maintain hegemony in the ME as "apologist neoliberal bullshit.  How do you come to that conclusion?  I see both your comments as compatible.

Sun, 01/03/2016 - 17:05 | 6991978 HowdyDoody
HowdyDoody's picture

There aren't two sides. There are at least 3 - Shiite, Sunni, Wahabbist=Saudi/ISIS/etc

Sun, 01/03/2016 - 17:34 | 6992079 XitSam
XitSam's picture

Two sides. Freedom and Totalitarianism.

If two groups on their side want to fight, let them.

Sun, 01/03/2016 - 17:42 | 6992109 dochood
dochood's picture

"You MIGHT want to sit this one out, Chief!"  Cortana, Halo 2

Sun, 01/03/2016 - 19:25 | 6992585 Keyser
Keyser's picture

Since when has there ever been a Free society? It's all been nothing but smoke and mirrors, while you and I are manipulated to believe the matrix... I feel cheated, much like when I understood that there is no Santa Claus or Tooth Fairy... 

Sun, 01/03/2016 - 20:34 | 6992899 RevIdahoSpud3
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Are you saying there is no tooth fairy???

Tue, 01/05/2016 - 16:36 | 7001687 Benjamin123
Benjamin123's picture

Freedom is not and will never be a side. A side requires organization and a central command in the traditional sense, or at the very least a commanding ideology and descentralized command. Doing your own thing and being free is not compatible with taking sides at some struggle.

In times of war free people tend to pack and leave since whatever is in dispute is none of their business.

Sun, 01/03/2016 - 21:03 | 6993031 Chuck Walla
Chuck Walla's picture

Oblamo's father was a producer of Lesbian Pornography.

A little brush on brush, ain't no rush.

O comes by his fagginess honestly.

FOrWARD SOVIET TRIBBERS!

Sun, 01/03/2016 - 17:45 | 6992123 DeadFred
DeadFred's picture

My fingers are crossed that this ignites the PM market. The multi-year discount sale has run its course

Sun, 01/03/2016 - 18:16 | 6992247 Motasaurus
Motasaurus's picture

No no no. Gold to $5/ounce and silver to $0.5/ounce. After I've bought all I can at those prices they can be released to legitimate price discovery. 

Sun, 01/03/2016 - 18:31 | 6992306 vollderlerby
vollderlerby's picture

Agreed!  Need another year or so, not done buying yet!

Sun, 01/03/2016 - 16:23 | 6991800 e_goldstein
e_goldstein's picture

The Sauds are actually starting another war. They are already at war in Yemen (and funding ISIS in Syria).  

Desperate despots.

Sun, 01/03/2016 - 17:32 | 6992037 Handful of Dust
Handful of Dust's picture

Well, the Saudis did say they wanted to 'diversify.'

 

One downside is moar [arrogant] ragheads will be buying RE in usa where they are protected by DC dem and repugnican politicans.

 

There have been numerous news articles recently about these Arabs buying the million dollar luxury condos in NYC and even out of the way places like Houston where no [native] Texan in his right mind is going to fork out $1.5 million [and up] for a two bedroom condo "near the Galleria mall." The realtor in nyc said Arab millionaires/billionaires are buying the new $2 million 1-bedroom condos like hotcakes.

 

No one EVER asks where their Loot came from. Yet, if Joe the American restaurant owner goes to withdraw a few thousands, the gubmint is all over him.

 

 

 

 

Sun, 01/03/2016 - 17:34 | 6992078 The Saint
The Saint's picture

I've got a condo in the Florida swamp for them.  Great views and terroist gators who are indescrimate killers - just like home.

Sun, 01/03/2016 - 19:06 | 6992470 CheapBastard
CheapBastard's picture

I think that post is accurate at least about Houston. I was visiting a friend there and we went to Galleria and it was packed with 1) Hispanics; 2) Obama's sons; and 3) Muslims.  We two were part of the handful of 'crackas' I guess they let in there for an unknown reason. Maybe for amusement?  Some of the Mexicans I talked to there were also disappointed there were no Christmas mall decorations. One young Hispanic girl said, "they probably forgot."

I think she was serious ... but most of these peeples have no clue what Soweto or DC Kleptocrats have in store for destroying what's left of America's middle class.

There were zero Christmas decorations except for a few stores -- like Nordstroms -- so looks like they cater to the Muzzie crowd.

Sun, 01/03/2016 - 18:32 | 6992309 frankly scarlet
frankly scarlet's picture

not without Washington's and more importantly Langley's approval they don't....I believe Iran fell for the incitement and will have to back down to get things to a calmer level if at all possible with the "Empire of Chaos" just looking for a fight that'll knock Russia down a peg or three.

Sun, 01/03/2016 - 18:06 | 6992204 Abitcoinbrain
Abitcoinbrain's picture

Pinto you are sooo right... The FED dumps its shit first and front runs the trade... Hedge funds and pension managers get out next leaving SAudi holding a bunch of Citi bank, facebook, amazon and other useless over inflated companies beore the MARKET PLUMMETS TO 1600 bitches!!!! GOOD BYE SAUDI ARABIA we will miss your ugly women and stupid idea's.......

Sun, 01/03/2016 - 19:05 | 6992467 Lolitsa
Lolitsa's picture

Re: Buying Western garbage (American stawks) with "donated" wealth; Those C-130s sure come in handy, eh? They can fly pallets of cold-hard cash to trouble areas on a moments notice. Evil bastards. That money would be better spent creating a viable infrastructure to help starving people in Africa. I feel sorry for them on the Judgement Day. Man, are they in for a RUDE awakening. Actually, it won't be an awakening. They KNOW what they are doing is wrong. They know. They just don't give a flying fuck. They got their Grade AAA steak, Idaho mashed potatoes, Kansas corn on their plate with a chilled glass of Cristal at two-o'clock. Narcissistic, power-hungry sickos. They will get their eternal reward. "Please, Abraham, let him dip his finger in the water and come wet my tongue!"

Tue, 01/05/2016 - 16:31 | 7001671 Benjamin123
Benjamin123's picture

Whenever africans get strong enough to stand on their feet first thing they do is reproduce.

Sun, 01/03/2016 - 20:08 | 6992699 cornflakesdisease
cornflakesdisease's picture

Saudia has gone and lost from 26%, to 21% world oil market share to Russia and Iran in the last 12 months of 2015.  Despite the low prices, Saudis getting hurt where it counts.

 

Interesting to see how this plays out.

Sun, 01/03/2016 - 21:36 | 6993188 Buck Johnson
Buck Johnson's picture

Exactly, they know they have no wealth anymore.

 

Mon, 01/04/2016 - 01:19 | 6993957 darkpool2
darkpool2's picture

With the current oil glut and weak demand, no better time to let the Saudi regime sink into the sands. How long will it take for western governments to understand you can't sustain the unsustainable for ever......now is probably the very best opportunity to ditch the Saudi barbarians.........and why would anyone think sacrificing the Canadian oil sands and US shale industries for the sake of maintaining the Mid East status quo was a price worth paying. We are capable of energy independence if we have the will.... ( and all sorts of collateral benefits on the side as well )

Mon, 01/04/2016 - 03:23 | 6994180 The central planners
The central planners's picture

Suadis 5 star hotels are full of real gold decor they will soon will have to scrap it out.

Sun, 01/03/2016 - 16:24 | 6991809 JRobby
JRobby's picture

38BWD22 (some sort of measurement ?) The USSA is in. They are orchestrating it. These events are the run up to WWIII.

Seems to be on schedule as the Fed is losing control. But that is also planned.

Sun, 01/03/2016 - 17:11 | 6991840 38BWD22
38BWD22's picture

 

 

38 is ID in millimeters...

Google is your friend!

That piece in MBS brand is our second best seller (not in NSK).

Sun, 01/03/2016 - 16:43 | 6991893 Winston Churchill
Winston Churchill's picture

Don't kid yourself,WWIII started right after Sochi.

Open and direct hostilities are not far off though.

Sun, 01/03/2016 - 16:53 | 6991941 Chupacabra-322
Chupacabra-322's picture

Who ever would of thought WWIII would be fought Covertly?

Sun, 01/03/2016 - 17:12 | 6992009 38BWD22
38BWD22's picture

 

 

That's an interesting insight.

Sun, 01/03/2016 - 17:27 | 6992052 general ambivalent
general ambivalent's picture

Those who believe WWIII started right after WWII with the destruction of Germany and covert wars against former allies; and that we have now entered WWIV.

Sun, 01/03/2016 - 18:05 | 6992047 Chris Dakota
Chris Dakota's picture

Russian astrologers predicted WWIII to begin after Sochi a few years before the games.

Pavel Globa predicted in the 80s that the Soviet Union would collapse and that in summer 1991

tanks would be on the streets in Moscow.

Predicted Japan quake

Predicted Ukraine 2 yrs before

Predicts the EU will fall apart, oil will rise in 2016, economy won't recover until 2020 (Thats Saturn/Jupiter conjunction that is setting the stage now with the square)

Pavel predicts collapse of the US dollar. The peak of the crisis will happen in 2017 and 2018, when the dollar will depreciate and completely lose its value. From that aspect, the Euro is much more stable currency. The fall of the USA will change the geopolitical aspect of the world. Up until then, the world will be one or two polar. He believes we are in for some hard times, which will culminate with War in 2020.

Globa believes that the economic crisis will last up until 2020, after which the world will have completely new geopolitical map. Humanity will get out of the crisis, which Pavel declared as “the second big depression”. In the following 30 years after the economic crisis, Russia will be reborn. He predicts that a new, more powerful individual will take over power in Russia. He calls this person the “Rider on a white horse”. He will have short reign, but he will leave mark and his legacy will last more than his reign.

He has 85% accuracy, he uses the black moon which I don't, so I will try it.

http://www.documentarytube.com/articles/pavel-globa-the-russian-astrolog...

http://www.valuewalk.com/2014/03/russian-astrologers-predicted-world-war-3/

Sun, 01/03/2016 - 18:27 | 6992291 shovelhead
shovelhead's picture

I get 92.7% accuracy with Dr. Lumpyhead's DIY Phrenology Kit.

Sun, 01/03/2016 - 18:42 | 6992353 Chris Dakota
Chris Dakota's picture

Here's mine.

With the waning Jupiter/Saturn square heading into 2020 conjunction in Aquarius, the old guard is coming to a close forever.

This really began with the rare 2006 Jupiter in Scorpio squaring an opposition from Saturn in Leo to Neptune in Aquarius.

The last time this occurred was 536 CE

With the Uranus/Pluto square still in play we are seeing the beginning of revolution in America. This won't be solved in a peaceful matter.  Which is why they are in a panic to collect guns from us.

All hell breaks lose over the US Sun in Cancer. They won't be able to hold it together anymore. That and a plague of some sort, most likely let loose by those who are in power now.

buy a gun

buy 2 guns

buy a hazmat suit with pockets for ammo.

 

Sun, 01/03/2016 - 18:58 | 6992434 MANvsMACHINE
MANvsMACHINE's picture

You forgot something very important to everyone here on ZH.

Do we finally see gold and silver prices go TO THE MOON??

Sun, 01/03/2016 - 19:14 | 6992515 Chris Dakota
Chris Dakota's picture

I would think so...the stage was set when Jupiter was in Leo.

from-July 14 to August 15 the events of that time show why.

comes to mind

Ukraine

Black Lives Matter (mass protest, civil unrest)

Old guard GOP candidates rejected

Syria

Yemen

Argentina Defaults

Sanctions on Russia

Refugee crisis

Terror Attacks

China stock market crash

Greek Debt

Nodes are money, May 2017 the North Node enters Leo

to the moon

 

Sun, 01/03/2016 - 19:34 | 6992617 o r c k
o r c k's picture

See Some Stars   Say Some Lies

Sun, 01/03/2016 - 19:35 | 6992625 Chris Dakota
Chris Dakota's picture

what's the matter, are ya skeered?

Sun, 01/03/2016 - 19:42 | 6992656 o r c k
o r c k's picture

Skeered indeed most mightily oh yeah.   And this crick in my neck is giving me water on the brain.

Mon, 01/04/2016 - 01:47 | 6994039 ebear
ebear's picture

Pluto in Uranus.

As I see it, yes!

Sun, 01/03/2016 - 19:46 | 6992681 mkkby
mkkby's picture

Thanks guys.  It wouldn't be ZH without a few moonbats and their superstitions.

Now who wants to argue the joo vs zionist vs christian debate for the 10 millionth time?

Sun, 01/03/2016 - 22:07 | 6993323 Chris Dakota
Chris Dakota's picture

Moonbat?

When Uranus/Pluto locked onto Putin's Sun in Libra

he went missing, remember that?

He was advised to lay as low as you can during the exact transit.

Dude, all the bigs use astrology because it works.

The little people ridicule it because they don't understand it.

It takes decades to get really good.

It is science of observation. We watch and learn, which is why I cast thousands of charts per year

for 45 yrs.

And I just gave it to you for free, the US civil war runs right along next to the revolution.

It began May 2014 at the Bundy Ranch, in the sense that the guns came out.

I said back in 2006 that it starts about 2011 (Occupy, Tea Party) but the guns don't come

out until 2014.

Go ahead laugh your way into poverty and danger.

"millionaires don't use astrology, billionaires do"

JP Morgan

Mon, 01/04/2016 - 00:24 | 6993835 BarkingCat
BarkingCat's picture

Why are you talking about his anus?

 

Sorry, I had to make a Uranus joke..

Mon, 01/04/2016 - 01:49 | 6994049 ebear
ebear's picture

"It wouldn't be ZH without a few moonbats and their superstitions."

A few? This place is a genuine cornucopia.

Sun, 01/03/2016 - 19:46 | 6992682 Kayman
Kayman's picture

"Jupiter was in Leo."

Ya know, sometimes I miss Leo.  Too bad he took his Chinese solars and went off in a pout.

To the article- I wonder if Iran has the balls/ is crazy enough to behead some Saudi visiting Iran.  Now that would be interesting. 

Sun, 01/03/2016 - 19:35 | 6992628 o r c k
o r c k's picture

Were you talking about MY anus?

Sun, 01/03/2016 - 20:48 | 6992965 RevIdahoSpud3
RevIdahoSpud3's picture

In Mormon legend there is a White Horse Prophesy. Taken from Revelations Mormons will save the Constitution which will be hanging by a thread. Many felt that Mitt Romney represented the rider of the White Horse. As it turned out he didn't sit tall enough in the saddle so if a Russian comes riding in on a White Horse I'll know what to be watching for?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_Horse_Prophecy

Sun, 01/03/2016 - 22:11 | 6993357 techpriest
techpriest's picture

In Christian eschatology there is a rider on a white horse, but he is a false savior. He brings peace, but just for a time, and at the cost of total submission to his government. However, by that point the world is already in chaos so any offer of peace looks good.

The point being, I would be wary of any world leader promising he can bring peace to the whole world. It just isn't compatible with human nature.

Sun, 01/03/2016 - 18:31 | 6992305 Perimetr
Perimetr's picture

The Saudis have been underwriting the war against Syria via ISIS because Iran is their mortal enemy.  This just makes it slightly more official.

 

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