Saudis Open Skies for Israeli Hit on Iran

Riyadh will let Israel's planes fly over its territory, say sources
By Polly Davis Doig,  Newser Staff
Posted Jun 12, 2010 9:38 AM CDT
Saudis Open Skies for Israeli Hit on Iran
An Israeli air force pilot stands next to a F-16I fighter plane during a demonstration for media at the Ramon Air Force Base, Israel, Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2008.   (AP Photo/Tara Todras-Whitehill)

Saudi Arabia is giving Israel a free pass through its airspace for a bombing run on Iranian nuclear sites, reports the Times of London, citing defense sources in the Gulf. The move puts four key sites within range of Israeli bombers, and the Saudis have tested lowering their air defenses to allow the Israelis through. While there's no love lost between the two, “I know that Saudi Arabia is even more afraid than Israel of an Iranian nuclear capacity,” says one official.

“The Saudis have given their permission for the Israelis to pass over and they will look the other way,” a US defense source tells the Times. “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 State Department.” (More Iranian nuclear program stories.)

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