Headline Roundup • October 14th, 2023
Saudi Arabia Pauses U.S.-backed Israel Deal, Looks Toward Iran
Middle East,Israel,Saudi Arabia,Iran,Israel Hamas Violence,World,Defense And Security,Biden Administration
Summary from the AllSides News Team
Saudi Arabia is putting a pause on the U.S.-backed deal that would have seen it normalize relations with Israel, two sources close to the matter told Reuters (Center bias).
The Details: Saudi Arabia is reportedly engaging with Iran in efforts to reduce violence and increase stability across the Middle East. Saudi officials reportedly communicated this decision to U.S. officials, yet an unnamed U.S. official reportedly said the U.S. remains in contact with the Saudis and has not been notified of a pause.
For Context: Saudi Arabia and Iran normalized diplomatic relations in April. The normalization plan for Israel and Saudi Arabia was an integral part of the Biden Administration’s ambitions to stabilize the Middle East. Many media perspectives and reports have emphasized how disruptive Hamas’ attacks have been to normalization efforts.
Key Quotes: National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said, “We understand normalization is about sovereign decisions that these nations have to make for themselves. That’s not for the United States to dictate to them.” A senior Iranian official told Reuters Iranian-Saudi correspondence was “good and promising” and aimed to support "Palestine and prevent the spread of war in the region".
How The Media Covered It: Sources across the spectrum covered the news similarly.
Featured Coverage of this Story
AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin, Pool, File
Saudi Arabia has switched focus from a deal with Israel to a deal with Iran following the terror attack by Hamas on Israel last week, according to a report.
At least 2,800 people have died since Hamas launched thousands of rockets on Israel over the weekend, pushing Israel to declare it was at war with the terrorist group and issue warnings to residents in Gaza ahead of operations in the territory to root out the group.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) told Fox News' Trey Yingst that their infantry forces and tanks entered...
Bandar Algaloud/Courtesy of Saudi Royal Court/Handout via REUTERS/File Photo Acquire
Saudi Arabia is putting U.S.-backed plans to normalise ties with Israel on ice, two sources familiar with Riyadh's thinking said, signalling a rapid rethinking of its foreign policy priorities as war escalates between Israel and Palestinian group Hamas.
The conflict has also pushed the kingdom to engage with Iran. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman took his first phone call from Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi as Riyadh tries to prevent a broader surge in violence across the region.
The two sources told Reuters there would be a delay in the U.S.-backed talks...
Menahem Kahana/AFP/Getty Images
Saudi Arabia has paused diplomacy to normalize ties with Israel amid the violence between Hamas militants and Israeli forces, people familiar with the matter said, in a major blow to President Joe Biden’s ambitions for the Middle East.
Saudi officials communicated Riyadh’s position to the US in recent days, said the people, who asked not to be identified discussing private talks. They described the move as a pause and not as an end to the diplomacy. A U.S. official, who also asked not to be identified, said the administration continues...
