Saudi Arabia tells the United States that Iran can attack the kingdom

Adding concerns about a possible attack on Saudi Arabia occur as the Biden administration is criticising Tehran for the crackdown on widespread protests and has condemned him for sending hundreds of fears as well as technical support to Russia in its war in Ukraine.

“We are concerned about the nature of the threat and remain in constant contact through military and intelligent channels with Saudis”, the National Security Council said in a statement. “

One of the officials confirming the sharing of intelligence information described it as a credible threat to a “attack soon or within 48 hours”. No US embassy or consulate in the region has issued alarms or instructions for Americans in Saudi Arabia or elsewhere in the Middle East based on intelligence information. Officials were not authorised to comment publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.

Asked about Saudi intelligence reports, Brigade General Pat Ryder, Pentagon Press Secretary, said American military officials “are concerned about the threat situation in the region”.

“We are in regular contact with our Saudi partners, in terms of information they may have on that front,” General Ryder said. “But what we've said before, and I repeat, is that we reserve the right to protect ourselves regardless of where our forces serve, whether in Iraq or elsewhere. ”

The Wall Street Journal reported for the first time on Saudis who provided intelligence information to American officials earlier Tuesday.

The US and Saudis charged Iran in 2019 with staying behind a major attack east of Saudi Arabia, which halved the production of the oil-rich kingdom and caused increased energy prices. The Iranians denied they were after the attack.

Saudis have been hit constantly in recent years by fears, rockets and mortars issued by Iran-backed rebels in Yemen in retaliation for Saudi involvement in the civil war that started there in 2014. Saudi Arabia formed a coalition to fight Houthis in 2015 and was criticised in the international arena for its air strikes, which have killed many civilians.

In recent weeks, the Biden administration has imposed sanctions on Iranian officials for brutal treatment of demonstrators following the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Ammini in September, while in custody by Iranian security forces. The administration has also hit Iran with sanctions for providing Russia's fears to be used in its war in Ukraine.

According to the Human Rights Activist Group, at least 270 people were killed and 14,000 were arrested during protests in Iran. The demonstrations have continued, even though the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard has warned Iranian youth to stop.

US relations with Saudi Arabia are also tense as the coalition of oil-making countries, The OPEC+, led by Riyadh, announced in October that it will lower production by 2 million barrels a day starting in November.

The White House has said it is reviewing its relations with Saudis regarding this action. The administration said the production reduction is effectively helping another OPEC+ member Russia fill its reserves as it continues its fight in Ukraine, now in its ninth month.

White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby reiterated on Tuesday that the administration remains concerned that Iran could also provide Russia with land-land missiles.

“We haven't seen this concern materialize, but it's a remaining concern,” said Mr. Kirby.

Although the US and others raise concerns about Iranian hostile actions, the administration has not ruled out the possibility of reanimating Iran's 2015 nuclear agreement, which was mediated by Obama administration and canceled in 2018 by the Trump administration. / VOA/