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The Pentagon has confirmed that Saudi Arabia is a major partner of the United States in the region and that it is an important pillar of the regional security structure. This is part of the United States’ preparations to increase the presence of its forces and equipment in the Kingdom in the coming period.
Marine Corps Lt. Col. Anton Similroth, a Pentagon spokesman, told Asharq Al-Awsat that the Defense Ministry continues to assess its position in the Middle East and the Persian Gulf region, in order to ensure a balance between operational requirements and risks, as well as to prepare for the achievement of global commitments.
Similroth stressed that Saudi Arabia is a key partner of the United States in the Middle East and an important pillar of the regional security architecture, citing the testimony of Lloyd Austin, the Secretary of Defense, before the commission of forces. Senate armies last week, according to which the Defense Ministry will continue talks with regional partners in the Middle East to determine capabilities. Which is needed to deter Iran and support regional stability, “he added,” after the Defense Ministry matched its resources to defense strategy, while increasing the ministry’s focus on China and preparation for it. “
3 photos
The Pentagon
The Pentagon
Saudi fighters escort the two US B-52 bombers
Saudi fighters escort the two US B-52 bombers
Arms sales to the United States
Regarding the cessation of arms sales and transfers to Saudi Arabia, as well as the direct commercial sales that were authorized by the administration of former President Donald Trump, Similroth stressed that this suspension is temporary, in order to give the new administration the opportunity to reconsider. “This administrative procedure is routine and exemplary in the transition process, and demonstrates a commitment to manage with transparency and good governance, as well as to ensure that US arms sales meet our strategic objectives of building a system of robust security for our partners, operational and more resilient. ”
And Anthony Blinken, the United States Secretary of State, confirmed that the United States would focus on the actions of the Houthi group which occupied Sana’a and targeted Saudi Arabia, Washington’s direct ally, stressing during its first conference of press the day before yesterday (Wednesday) that the Houthis have committed numerous human rights violations.
Blinken stressed that Saudi Arabia had provided a lot of humanitarian aid to Yemen, stressing that his country was keen to distribute relief there.
Iran nuclear deal
He added: “The United States will not revert to the Iran nuclear program deal unless Tehran returns to fulfill its obligations it has reneged on and Iran no longer meets its obligations on several If he takes this decision to return to his commitments, it will take time, and it also takes time to be able to do so. “To assess its compliance with its obligations. We are far from it, to say the least.
In turn, General Kenneth Mackenzie, commander of the Middle East Central Command, revealed that the Pentagon has reached a preliminary agreement with Riyadh to use the various air bases and seaports in the western regions of the country. And to deal with any outbreak of war with Iran.
McKinsey told reporters accompanying him on his trip to the Middle East, where he visited US bases in Saudi Arabia earlier this week, that in the event of a conflict with Iran, the US would be in. able to transfer forces to and from the western region and to place fighters and other aircraft away from missile launchers. He also inspected three new proposed sites in Saudi Arabia: Yanbu, Taif and Tabuk.
He added: “The Arabian Gulf will be contested waters in any scenario of armed conflict with Iran, so we are considering where our forces will move when they enter theater in the contested area,” considering that the western part of Saudi Arabia overlooking the Red Sea has many opportunities in the US military presence in it.
McKinsey said the expansionary move has been underway for at least a year and that its disclosure comes in the presence of the new Biden administration, as U.S.-Saudi relations deepen at the military level, noting that military leaders at Central Command American, which governs all American forces in the Middle East and always takes into account the possibility of waging a war with Tehran.
McKinsey pointed out that the United States’ use of the three Saudi facilities it inspected on Monday, a commercial port, the last industrial port at Yanbu and the airstrips at Tabuk and Taif, is still “very conditional “and under review, he said.
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