'Saudis to allow airspace for Iran war'

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=130086§ionid=351020205



Saudi Arabia has reportedly launched a series of military maneuvers aimed at allowing Israeli jets to use the kingdom's airspace for an aerial attack on Iranian nuclear sites.

US defense sources speaking on condition of anonymity told The Times on Sunday that Israel has been given overflight clearance by Saudi Arabia and is permitted to use northern Saudi airspace in the event of military confrontation with Iran.

To clear the way for Israeli bombers en route to Iran, Riyadh has reportedly been conducting tests to practice keeping its own jets out of harms way while ensuring that missile systems in the kingdom remain completely deactivated.

"The Saudis have given their permission for the Israelis to pass over and they will look the other way," one US defense source said on Saturday.

"They have already done tests to make sure their own jets aren't scrambled and no one gets shot down. This has all been done with the agreement of the [US] State Department," he added.

Meanwhile, Arab sources reported that Saudi defense officials had made arrangements with Israel in case it decided to carry out its long-stalled military plans against Iran, stating that they both share a mutual hatred for the Iranian government and its nuclear activities.

For years, Israel has threatened to bomb Iran's nuclear installations. However, the likelihood of any such attack has significantly increased due to Tel Aviv's growing impatience with international sanctions, which have failed to change Tehran's stance on its peaceful nuclear issue.

Dodging scrutiny over its own arsenal of up to 200 nuclear weapons, Israel accuses Iran of refining uranium for military purposes.

Iran, however, dismisses the allegation, saying its nuclear activities are solely aimed at peaceful energy production and under close supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency.