Saudi Arabia Missile Manufacture Complicates Nuclear Diplomacy: For US, It's 'Matter of Calibration'
Good day from REEDNEWSARABWORLD for Friday, December 24, 2021! And it's a big news day. Just when the nuclear talks on Iran are set to resume Monday, the headlines that Saudi Arabia (with China's help) is producing its own ballistic missiles will surely affect the negotiations with Iran. The United States has been critical of Iran's missiles and wants them included in a new nuclear agreement. Now the U.S. and the West must deal with the reality that ally Saudi Arabia is also manufacturing missiles. How to balance? A U.S. official says it's a "matter of calibration,".
U.S. intelligence has mapped the location of the Saudi missile facility as near Dawadmi, which sits on a plateau in central Saudi Arabia. (You get to Dawadmi from Riyadh by flying 120 miles west or driving 200 miles.) The plant is reported to be one built earlier with China's assistance, and satellite images show burn pits, regarded as a sure sign of disposing of solid propellant remnants. But Saudi Arabia's work with China isn't new. The Saudis have publicly announced numerous joint nuclear energy projects with China.
Also news from Iraq, Kuwait, UAE, Yemen, Qatar, Lebanon, Tunisia, Turkey, the Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia (again), and More.
Saudi Arabia is known to have purchased ballistic missiles from China in the past, but until now hasn't been able to build its own. This new development confronts the Biden administration with urgent questions. Can Saudi missile advancement change the dynamics of power in the Middle East? How much will this complicate efforts by the U.S. to include restraints on Iran's missiles in a new nuclear deal? It's considered highly unlikely that Iran will quit making ballistic missiles when Saudi Arabia is making its own.
CNN, CNN Exclusive: US intel and satellite images show Saudi Arabia is now building its own ballistic missiles with the help of China.
Russia's delegate to the Iran nuclear talks resuming Monday in Vienna said the quick date is an indication negotiators don't want to waste time. Mikhail Ulyanov said "usually it isn't popular to engage in serious business" the week between Christmas and the New Year, but that "in this particular case, this is an indication that all negotiators don't want to waste time, and aim at the speediest restoration" of the nuclear deal.
Associated Press, Iran nuclear deal returns to negotiating table next week in Vienna.
Europe wants to pick up the pace of nuclear negotiations with Iran when they resume Monday. "Important to pick up the pace on key outstanding issues and move forward, working closely with the U.S.," Enrique Mora, the European Union diplomat leading the negotiations, said on Twitter. "Welcome to the 8th round."
The National, Iran nuclear talks to resume next week with faster pace EU says.
But:
Iran's top diplomat says the last round of nuclear talks in Vienna wasn't constructive. The Iranian foreign minister said the most recent talks, suspended on December 17, didn't present any "new practical initiatives." Iran's media quoted Hossein Amirabdollahian as saying, "We do not see the position of some European countries as constructive, specifically that of France."
Reuters, Top Iran diplomat: European stance not constructive at nuclear talks.
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia and Iran made some progress in their separate talks. Three Iranian diplomats were granted visas and allowed by the Saudis to be based in Riyadh, the Saudi capital. This is a first step in rebuilding diplomatic ties between Saudi Arabia and Iran. It allows the three Iranians to be based at the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Riyadh. Iraq has been brokering the talks between the two countries, and Iran has said they've gone well.
Bloomberg News, Iran-Saudi Talks Move Ahead as Tehran Says Diplomatic Visas Issued.
The cyberwarfare between Iran and its adversaries, mainly Israel, is shifting from military and nuclear sites to civilian infrastructure. In the tit-for-tat exchange, Israel is believed to have damaged Iran's nuclear sites. But Iran improved its defense and spread its facilities all over the country. So then Iran's Mahan Airlines was hacked in November and the University of Tehran targeted earlier this month. Iran has hit back with its own attacks. Cyberhostilities are escalating.
Los Angeles Times, A hacking slugfest between Iran and its foes sparks fears of as wider cyberwar.
The Saudi-led military coalition in Yemen said it launched air strikes on a military camp in Sanaa, but the Iran-aligned Houthis said a prison compound and hospital were hit instead. Saudi state TV said the coalition destroyed seven drones and weapons stores in response to an attack on Saudi Arabia's Jizan region on the Red Sea. The Houthis claimed the coalition strike fell on a prison housing more than 3,000 of the coalition's own fighters who had been captured in battle.
Reuters, Saudi Coalition Says It Strikes Military Camp in Sanaa, Houthis Say Bombs Hit Prison.
Al Jazeera, Saudi-led coalition says air raids hit military camp in Sanaa.
And:
Saudi TV said the coalition destroyed a boat on the Red Sea that was carrying explosives. The boat was described as "launched from Yemen's Hodeidah," a region controlled by the Houthi rebels, and that it was prepared to carry out an attack.
Reuters, Saudi TV reports boat with explosives destroyed in Red Sea.
Iran says it is installing an anti-missile system on the turrets of its T-72M tanks. "The system has been tested and installed... It will be able to deflect all types of missiles by jamming their systems," Iran said in an announcement during military exercises.
Agence France Presse, Iran Announces Anti-Missile System For Its Tanks.
Saudi Arabia is setting up an independent unit to investigate financial fraud. The Saudi Public Prosecution said the unit will protect consumers and businesses from fraudulent criminal practices.
Arab News, Saudi Arabia forms independent body to probe financial crimes.
Saudi Arabia's Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdul Aziz Al-Sheikh has confirmed the kingdom's position against a United Nations resolution concerning sexual orientation and gender identity. The two terms are unacceptable, he said. "The terms in the resolution are not agreed upon (by Saudi Arabia) as they contravene the historical Arab and Islamic identity." Earlier, Saudi Arabia's ambassador to the United Nations, Abdullah Al-Mouallimi, spoke against the resolution and said it was against the voice and legislation of many countries.
Asharq Al-Awsat, Saudi Grand Mufti Asserts Rejection of UN Resolution on 'Sexual Orientation,' 'Gender Identity.'
Teachers in Iran protesting against low wages clashed with Iranian security forces. The clashes took place in Shiraz and Tehran Thursday as protests were held in more than 50 towns and cities across Iran. Protesters held signs demanding that imprisoned teachers be released. One sign read: "Neglecting education is neglecting the future of the country and the youth." Coordinators said state security agencies had rounded up over 100 teachers and union activists during the week and threatened them in an attempt to prevent the protests.
Jerusalem Post, Protesting Iranian teachers clash with security forces.
An Iranian auto company has restarted production at a plant in Senegal after a turbulent start-and-stop history. The backstory demonstrates the rocky path of Iranian companies expanding abroad. Carmaker Iran Khodro first announced plans in 2008, but foreign currency risks, cultural problems, and international sanctions delayed operations for years. Then Senegal broke relations with Iran, claiming Iranian arms were being shipped to separatist rebels. Finally the plant started production in mid-December.
Forbes, Iran Restarts West African Auto Plant, Leaving Arms Shipment Dispute In The Past.
Iran is moving to quell unrest in Iraq stirred by Iranian-backed Iraqi militias. Tehran is trying to strike a balance between keeping its influence in Iraq and not upsetting nuclear negotiations. One high-level intervention came after the attack on the Iraqi prime minister's residence, which some Baghdad officials blamed on Iran. Iran rushed one of its most senior military commanders, Brig. Gen. Esmail Ghaani, with a message. Stop the petty politics that threatens Iraq's ruling Shiite majority, through which Iran exercises its influence.
Reuters, Iran seeks to cool tensions in Iraq.
Iraq's Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait in 1990, lost the war and his life, and Iraq has been paying reparations ever since, now totaling $52.4 billion. Iraqi officials said Thursday that the final payment had been made. "Iraq has closed the file of the Kuwait war reparations, having paid the last of its dues." The total was "not a small amount," Mozher Saleh, economic advisor to Iraq's prime minister, said. "The sum would have been enough to construct an electricity network that would have served Iraq for many years."
Asharq Al-Awsat, Iraq Says It Paid Final Kuwait War Reparations.
Syria is blaming Qatar for standing in the way of its rejoining the Arab League. "Without a doubt, Qatar is obstructing Damascus' participation in the meetings of the Arab League," Syrian deputy foreign minister Bashar Jaafari said. He said Qatar and other countries were acting in accordance with "western agenda," but he did not clarify. Syria's membership in the Arab League was suspended in 2011 after members gave the Al-Assad regime a deadline to stop a crackdown on peaceful protesters and demanded the resignation of Syria's president.
Doha News, Qatar blocking Syria's return to Arab League: Syrian official.
Qatar and Turkey have agreed to jointly operate the Kabul Hamid Karzai International Airport in Afghanistan, reports said Thursday. A joint delegation was scheduled to travel to Kabul Thursday to discuss the agreement with interim Afghan government officials, who then will relay the agreement to the ruling Taliban. Earlier reports were that the two countries may operate as many as five airports in Afghanistan.
Daily Sabah, Turkey, Qatar agree on jointly operating Kabul airport.
Lebanon's foreign ministry said Thursday it regretted an assault on a Finnish battalion of United Nations peacekeepers. Videos showed local people attacking UN vehicles with rocks in a southern Lebanese town. The incident took place within hours after the United Nations secretary-general, Antonio Guterres, left Lebanon after a four-day visit. The mayor of the town said the peacekeepers had gone to streets they didn't usually frequent, locals asked about their motives, and then people pelted the vehicles with rocks. "Any out-of-the-ordinary actions will provoke a reaction," the mayor said.
Alarabiya, Lebanon 'regrets' assault on UN peacekeepers.
Lebanon's top Christian party may break off from a political alliance with Iran-backed Hezbollah. Gebran Bassil, leader of the Free Patriotic Movement party, said there would be "political consequences" for actions against his party by Lebanon's two main Shiite parties, Hezbollah and Amal. The Christian party's political arrangement with Hezbollah has shaped Lebanon's politics for nearly 16 years.
Reuters, Lebanon's top Christian party signals possible end of Hezbollah alliance.
Libyans are frustrated and anxious about the decision to postpone the presidential election. "I had picked up my voting card and I was waiting for the election," one Libyan man said at a cafe in Tripoli. "For me, the delay is a setback and a disappointment." The first-ever presidential election had been scheduled a year after a landmark ceasefire between warring east and west forces in Libya.
Agence France Presse, Libyans voice frustration and unease over poll delay.
Former Tunisian president Moncef Marzouki has denied charges against inciting the country. Marzouki, who lives in Paris, was sentenced by a Tunisian court this week to four years in prison in absentia. "The lurking dictator will leave, and the issues for which I was prosecuted will win," Marzouki said on his Facebook page. He said the court order "was issued by a miserable judge on the orders of an illegitimate president," referring to Tunisian president Kais Saied, who has suspended parliament and wants to revise Tunisia's constitution.
Yeni Safak, Ex-Tunisian president vows to win against 'incitement' charges.
Three Tunisian parties on Thursday accused President Kais Saied of pressuring the judiciary to intimidate political opponents. A Tunisian court had sentenced former president Moncef Marzouki to four years in prison in absentia, and a joint statement by the political parties said: "The systematic violation of rights by continuing to try civilians before military courts and putting pressure on the judiciary is an attempt to use it to intimidate political opponents."
Yeni Safak, Three Tunisian parties accuse Saied of pressuring judiciary.
More: Egypt's cabinet holds first meeting in new capital, The National... UAE's first astronaut reveals he brought Israeli flag to space, Jerusalem Post... US denies man held in Turkey for fake passport is diplomat, Associated Press... Iran's export to Iraq increases by 15 percent in 8 months, Menafn... International tourists head to Dubai despite Covid concerns, I24 News... Saudi Arabia launches first-ever national music strategy, Ajel News.
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