Riyadh ‘Very Possibly Involved’ in Tehran Terrorist Attacks: US Analyst


Riyadh ‘Very Possibly Involved’ in Tehran Terrorist Attacks: US Analyst

TEHRAN (Tasnim) – An American political commentator said the Saudi regime was “very possibly involved” in Wednesday’s terrorist attacks in the Iranian capital of Tehran, which killed 12 people and injured 42 others.

“Very possibly it (Saudi Arabia) was involved, but I doubt without US approval. Maybe both countries and Israel were behind what happened,” Stephen Lendman from Illinois told the Tasnim News Agency.

Lendman is a Research Associate of the Centre for Research on Globalization.

Following is the full text of the interview:

Tasnim: On Wednesday, gunmen stormed Iran’s Parliament and the mausoleum of the late founder of the Islamic Republic Imam Khomeini in two coordinated terrorist attacks, which claimed the lives of 12 people and injured over 40 others. What’s your take on the assaults? Who or what group do you think was behind the acts of terrorism?

Lendman: We don’t know but I wonder if the CIA and/or Mossad orchestrated what happened.

Assuming ISIS was responsible, it’s important to understand Washington created and supports the group, along with al-Qaeda and likeminded ones.

These groups can’t exist without foreign support - money, weapons, training, etc. And they have the US-led coalition as an air force.

The terrorists captured alive today may be able to fill in some of the blanks - short of linking the attacks to Washington or Tel Aviv with smoking gun evidence, maybe just enough.

They don’t show up automatically anywhere. They’re deployed by their paymaster(s).

Tasnim: Saudi officials have repeatedly threatened Iran with military action. Recently, Saudi Deputy Crown Prince and Defense Minister Mohammed bin Salman said, "We will work to have the battle in Iran rather than in Saudi Arabia." Do you believe that Riyadh was behind the attacks?

Lendman: A good point about Riyadh. Very possibly it was involved, but I doubt without US approval. Maybe both countries and Israel were behind what happened. I think Iran’s government will find out, maybe with help from Russian intelligence.

Tasnim: The attacks came after a recent visit by US President Donald Trump to the Saudi capital Riyadh. Do you think Trump has given the green light to Saudi officials to destabilize Iran?

Lendman: Trump is extremely hostile to Iran as we know. He expressed it emphatically in the speech he gave. Without question, Washington, the Saudis and Israel want Iran destabilized. I’m sure privately some of this was discussed in Riyadh.

Tasnim: What objectives is the US government trying to achieve in the Middle East?

Lendman: Again, Daesh is a US creation, doing its mischief where its fighters are deployed. Here’s the last paragraph of my article today on US-led coalition warplanes striking government and allied forces in Syria for the 3rd time since April 7: ‘Washington’s aim is destroying Syrian’s sovereignty, ousting Assad, replacing him with a pro-Western puppet, eliminating an Israeli rival, and isolating Iran ahead of pursuing regime change against its government.’

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