Saudi Arabia has reportedly shown U.S. officials intelligence indicating that Iran could carry out attacks within the kingdom as Iran scrambles to contain the civil unrest that has shaken the country since earlier this year.
The United States and several other allies in the region have increased their military alert level in case Tehran pursues military action, officials told the Wall Street Journal. They did not divulge specifics of Saudi Arabia’s intelligence.
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“We are concerned about the threat picture, and we remain in constant contact through military and intelligence channels with the Saudis,” a National Security Council spokesperson told the news outlet. “We will not hesitate to act in the defense of our interests and partners in the region.”
Iran has alleged that the U.S., Saudi Arabia, and others in the Middle East have worked to fuel the massive protests gripping the country. Civil unrest within Iran increased after the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini on Sept. 16. She had been taken into custody by the Iranian morality police for flouting Tehran’s strict dress code for women before later dying at a hospital.
Since late September, Iran has struck parts of northern Iraq with multiple ballistic missiles and other weaponry. The commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has also demanded Saudi Arabia to curtail coverage of the Iranian uproar, per the Wall Street Journal. Saudi Arabia backs the Iran International channel in London.
“This is our last warning, because you are interfering in our internal affairs through these media,” Maj. Gen. Hossein Salami warned, according to the report. “You are involved in this matter and know that you are vulnerable.”
So far, Iran has reportedly apprehended over 1,000 people during its crackdown on the demonstrations. Over 200 have been killed in the upheaval.
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U.S. officials have maintained that they are keeping a watchful eye on Iran and are willing to protect U.S. interests if need be.
“We do remain concerned about the threat situation in the region. We’re in regular contact with our Saudi partners, in terms of what information they may have to provide on that front,” Pentagon spokesman Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder said during a press briefing Tuesday.
“But what we’ve said before, and I’ll repeat it, is that we will reserve the right to protect and defend ourselves no matter where our forces are serving,” he added.
