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

Submitted by Tyler Durden on 01/03/2016 23:33 -0500

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.

Average:

Your rating: None Average: 4.7 (47 votes)

- advertisements -

Sun, 01/03/2016 - 16:38 | 6991867 Bank_sters

Ras Tanura would make a statement!

Sun, 01/03/2016 - 18:14 | 6992240 Kiwi Pete

Once the Iranian diplomats are safetly home the 'students' can take the Saudi diplomats hostage. It's not like they don't have form.

Sun, 01/03/2016 - 18:48 | 6992391 messystateofaffairs

Whats wrong with you, that would hurt the petrodollar and the SDR isn't even ready yet.

Sun, 01/03/2016 - 15:52 | 6991676 kiwimail

Could this turn into the black swan of 2016? Both oil and gold have lots of upside, just waiting for the right catalyst.

Sun, 01/03/2016 - 15:52 | 6991677 Brian

Could this all have been an intentional move to shore up the Saudi budget shortfall?

They can still pump full-out, but by adding geopolitical risk value, elevate oil prices.

The way I see it, this achieves their objective of maintaining pressure on relatively high-marginal cost producers (who need oil over $50 anyway) and increasing revnue.

They must have known there would be blowback from thier execution. Just another ploy by a very devious Amerkan Ally

Sun, 01/03/2016 - 15:55 | 6991693 HoserF16

No love for Iran but I'm rooting for Iran. I fucking Hate the Saudi's..... Enemy of my Enemy is my friend.

Sun, 01/03/2016 - 17:42 | 6992088 Albertarocks

I have no dislike for Iran at all. I've met quite a few Iranians (born and raised in Iran) in Canada and was surprised at how nice they are... really nice people. A couple of things really impressed me that I wouldn't have expected though. The women I met were truly gorgeous and smiled very easily. The males were much more gentle and calm than I would have expected too. I found out why. Their inner confidence based on the fact that they are fully aware that they are full blooded descendents of the ancient Persian civilization is truly remarkable. They are not afraid of Israel in the slightest. Not even a little bit. They are good looking people, very clean and with hair that gives new meaning to the word "black"... like some Italians. They were not loud or mouthy and full of venom like a lot of Arabic types that we see in the news. They really were nice gentle people who would be more than happy to feed you until your belly pops. And educated, very well educated and world-aware. How can you not like people like that?

Sun, 01/03/2016 - 18:08 | 6992219 SoCalBusted

And during the uprising around the Arab spring, when they were protesting those in power, Obama turned his back on them. A friend of mine from Iran calls himself Persian before Iranian.

Mon, 01/04/2016 - 01:13 | 6993923 Albertarocks

Yeah, these Iranians I met (not all at once... in several different circumstances and settings) called themselves Persians as well. They don't mind either name... I got the sense that they think of it as Iran is their home but Persia is their soul.

Sun, 01/03/2016 - 18:17 | 6992251 Kiwi Pete

I backpacked through Iran in the 90's and found them to be friendly and hospitable. Even got invited back to ones guys house to meet his family. Can't imagine the same thing happening in Saudi.

Sun, 01/03/2016 - 15:56 | 6991694 dogfish

The United Snakes likes to provide arms and intellegence to both sides of this kind of a war too get maximum casualties.

Sun, 01/03/2016 - 16:41 | 6991883 CompassionateCo...

Quit lying. The government is sticking their necks out everyday for ungrateful bastards like you. They're on the front lines fighting foreign terrorist and derange sickos like the NRA whose members are shooting up Chicago and brutally murdering school children with bullet button equipped mass murdering assault weapons. Show some respect!

Sun, 01/03/2016 - 16:53 | 6991937 skinwalker

Do you have any knowledge of firearms that didn't come from a TV?

Sun, 01/03/2016 - 19:37 | 6992626 gonetogalt

^{Forgot the sarc/ tag?}

at least 14 maidens on board at this count.

Sun, 01/03/2016 - 17:54 | 6992158 dogfish

Compassionate co-conspirator.

Mon, 01/04/2016 - 04:31 | 6994234 August

Compassionate comic relief.

Sun, 01/03/2016 - 18:02 | 6992190 83_vf_1100_c

wtf? You are a strange individual even for a garden variety troll.

Sun, 01/03/2016 - 18:14 | 6992243 backwaterdogs

clearly, a </sarc> tag was needed at the end of this post

Sun, 01/03/2016 - 18:35 | 6992332 messystateofaffairs

Oh pleeeze.

Sun, 01/03/2016 - 21:21 | 6993127 RevIdahoSpud3

I upvoted you out of "compassion" because you are a stupid, sick fuck and no one else would!

Sun, 01/03/2016 - 15:56 | 6991695 user2011

Goal achieved. Now, Iran and Saudi are at each other's throat, US can export oil to the world and thus saving the oil price, us shale industry, unemployment and the world dominance with oil monopoly. Muslims are so manipulative.

Sun, 01/03/2016 - 16:13 | 6991758 JustObserving

The latest data shows US importing more than 7.1 million barrels a day

https://www.eia.gov/dnav/pet/pet_move_impcus_a2_nus_epc0_im0_mbblpd_m.htm

Sun, 01/03/2016 - 15:57 | 6991701 Bangin7GramRocks

I feel terrible for the regular people of this wretched place. Fuck the dictators and religious assholes though! Please, please, please let the U.S. sit this one out. But I know it's hard for our leaders when some good killing is going on.

Sun, 01/03/2016 - 15:58 | 6991703 IndianaJohn

Is the Saudi Royal family jews?

Sun, 01/03/2016 - 16:26 | 6991813 gonetogalt

Yes, crypto-jews they say...

Sun, 01/03/2016 - 16:48 | 6991921 Ms No

What about the British Royals? The Bush family? Wouldn't that be something.

Sun, 01/03/2016 - 17:27 | 6992055 Kirk2NCC1701

At that level, they all worhip the same god: MAMMON & POWER.

If in doubt, you're best to assume that Oligarchs around the world have more in common with each other -- no matter their race or culture -- than with their native people.

Mon, 01/04/2016 - 14:19 | 6996296 Benjamin123

Everyone has some jewish ancestors.

Sun, 01/03/2016 - 16:02 | 6991714 Ms No

I think we will live to see the House of Saud fall. I'm not sure how long we will be around after the fact but it will be nice nonetheless. Good riddance you sadistic sorry excuses for human life. I hope your virgins in your version of heaven end up being sucubus that resemble Hillary and suck the skin of your face and pecker over and over in repetition forever. When they hang these monsters they should display them with their golden toilet seat covers around their heads. Until then pray that the children of the ME and the world will be protected from them.

Sun, 01/03/2016 - 16:22 | 6991797 38BWD22

"Until then pray that the children of the ME and the world will be protected from them."

Very perceptive, bravo.

Sun, 01/03/2016 - 16:02 | 6991718 SgtMilstar

False flag anyone? Who gains by higher oil prices? Think Iraq-Iran war of eight years.

Sun, 01/03/2016 - 16:03 | 6991724 falga

Sunni (wahabist) Saudi beheads 47 people and cuts diplomatic ties with (Shiite) Iran when in fact the real terrorists against the west have all emanated from Sunni Islam - not shiites. Seems the Shiites beef is mostly with Israel. The media, of course, distorts it all.

Mon, 01/04/2016 - 10:50 | 6995197 trulz4lulz

Funny how such a small detail can reveal so much.

Sun, 01/03/2016 - 16:05 | 6991729 Mewa

the idea of suggesting that increased confrontation between these two over which end of the egg gets cracked is a bit absurd. If you think oil prices will move higher on this news beyond a couple of days....War in the middle east means the Saudis and the Iranians will be flooding the markets to pay for their weapons of destruction....wars cost a lot of money and need to be paid for.....Right now there is plenty of in situ oil supplies on land and sea that will comfortably provide supply..

Besides refiners will be shutting down as the old miss is too dangerous to transport supply for 10 refiners.....

This breaks the back of Frackers which is why Fischer just tossed a lead balloon on neg rates.....Why does anyone believe those fucking morons at the Fed for guiding the economy......

Sun, 01/03/2016 - 16:40 | 6991880 Dark Daze

Yes, but what if the Iranians block the Straight of Hormuz to cut off Saudi oil revenue? All of the Saudi oil infrastructure is on the east side of the country (in majority Shia territory) and they need access to the straight to survive.

Sun, 01/03/2016 - 17:29 | 6992061 samjam7

And you sir think the US would just let that happen?

Sun, 01/03/2016 - 16:08 | 6991737 falga

Fail to see how this is going to increase geoplitical risks and put less crude on the market...in fact makes it less likely that Saudi and Iran agree on production limits and in fact more likely that they will continue to push down prices.

Sun, 01/03/2016 - 16:09 | 6991739 Chris88

Wow, this is going to be really cute.

Sun, 01/03/2016 - 16:10 | 6991744 Make_Mine_A_Double

This has been building for awhile - say at least a 100 years between Sunni Saud and Persia. There is alot of history to this. But Iran is on the march and if Saud falls or looks to be falling than watch Sisi and Erdogen come in.

In short much as I laoth the House of Saud this could make the Arab Spring look like the warm up band.

Sun, 01/03/2016 - 16:37 | 6991869 Dark Daze

THe Egyptians won't go anywhere near this. Their security situation is too fragile. And Erdogan? Well, Ankara will make a nice, bright torch light. Once his own people get through with him he will wish he had never been born.

Mon, 01/04/2016 - 04:42 | 6994242 August

>>>This has been building for awhile - say at least a 100 years between Sunni Saud and Persia.

Maybe for the last 50 years. Before the West got directly involved, the ME east of Suez was either under Turkish or Persian hegemony. The residents the resource-poor Arabian peninsula had been bit players for centuries... and will be again as their hydrocarbons dwindle.

Sun, 01/03/2016 - 16:11 | 6991745 Albertarocks

I'm not sure the Royal family truly understands exactly how big that gigantic can of whoop ass is, that's about to blow up in their faces. They've gotta be truly deluded if they think they could take Iran in a normal war. So my guess is that somebody is putting them up to this. Any guesses as to who that 'somebody' might be? Think BANKERS.

Sun, 01/03/2016 - 16:21 | 6991789 Global Hunter

Yes reminds me of the Ukrainian tactic of sending mortar shells into residential areas in the Russian speaking part of the country. A person who cared about the long term stability of their country wouldn't act like they do. Looks like they tried and failed to start a war directly with Russia in Ukraine, Syria isn't going well for them so now they'll try to take it to Iran's border.

Sun, 01/03/2016 - 20:15 | 6992825 mkkby

Exactly. The saudis are lashing out because of how poorly their regional power grab has gone. They lost Iraq, and now Syria -- which means Lebanon is lost as well.

The best they can do is spread their shitty mosques everywhere and hope a few more apes join ISIS. But that is just turning the whole world against them.

China is keeping quiet thru most of this. But if they say enough is enough, the petro dollars supporting all this chaos will be in serious jeopardy.

Sun, 01/03/2016 - 22:29 | 6993445 BingoBoggins

Call me a romantic fool, but would it benefit US citizens to petition for a Congressional vote on Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF) in order to defeat it? My Rep says there's "little enthusiasm" for such a vote. I forgot to ask - why?

Of course, such a strategy is a matter of timing.

OK. You can laugh now.

Sun, 01/03/2016 - 16:36 | 6991834 Dark Daze

No, I don't think this is the bankers, but for sure they will use the situation to profit handsomely as well as blame any crash on it. This is a bad situation spinning out of control. The ISIS thing has ended up being the worlds worst kept secret. Europe is cracking over it and Germany, France, Austria and the other former east block nations see what is coming and they know America is, for the most part, impotent in the face of (some say outdated) Russian military power. It isn't outdated of course, they have the most advanced missiles, tanks, the best airframes, the most effective artillery, the best stand off air weaponry, the biggest rocket motors and the most motivated and effective troops of any current major power. And they are backed by the Chinese. That is a powerful combination arrayed against an aged empire that is financially bankrupt and morally decayed. There are 75 million Iranians and 25 million Saudis, who have shown clearly that despite having the largest, best equipped military in the ME, they can't even defeat a bunch of rebels in pick up trucks. The Shia, Russians, Chinese, Mongols on the other hand are tough as nails and can fight and win with even outdated weaponry. Once again, the US, who used to be 'the good guys' have allied themselves with the most egotistical, brutal, blood thirsty group of reprobates (Erdogan, Salman, Netanyahu, ISIS, McCain et all) they could possibly have been associated with. I wouldn't bet the farm on anything other than a new Persian empire emerging from this.

Sun, 01/03/2016 - 16:11 | 6991748 falak pema

The lines are OFFICIALLY drawn, the military ramp up will be awesome.

Putin seems to be in the driver's seat to steer the Iran-Assad axis in Syrac; whereas Saud now has to fight on four fronts :

Yemen, ISIS, Assad, Shia Iraq-IRan.

How can the EMirates manage that?

What will Nato/Turkey/EU (Fr-Eu-Ger)/ Putin/Israel do?

And what happens to the libyan-Mali front?

We are seeing one holy war game of shia/Sunni-Turkey-Assad-Kurd- Iraq/Iran merry go round.

Is there a PILOT to fly this plane?

Sun, 01/03/2016 - 17:39 | 6992097 trader1

isn't it too late?

Mon, 01/04/2016 - 02:32 | 6994131 Element

Fortunately core western states managed to construct massive domestic energy supply infrastructures during the past decade ... ideal for emergency economic shock mitigation. Energy infrastructure may be commandeered and rationed for the duration if it kicks off.

Unlikely

Iran can't win. It probably can't be beaten either, short of an extremely bloody invasion and occupation, but it can be comprehensively smashed from the air and be forced to change its attitude, and capabilities.

Gee, who'd want that?

So I don't think the Iranians will go there over some guy getting lopped, just for exercising his right to free speech ... er ... yeah ... well anyway, it would require something much more significant than this to spiral to war.

Sun, 01/03/2016 - 16:19 | 6991752 Lumberjack