00:00As the conflict between Iran and Israel enters its eighth day, a familiar but
00:06quite clear is now stepping into the spotlight, Saudi Arabia. Following Israel's
00:12surprise military campaign known as Operation Rising Line, the region has
00:18been thrown into chaos. Tensions are running high. Diplomacy, which was
00:24already fragile, has taken a major hit. But instead of fueling the fire, Saudi
00:31Arabia is calling for a calm. Riyadh, along with other Gulf countries, is engaging in
00:37back-channel diplomacy to contain the fallout. Dr. Salim Al-Yami, a Gulf
00:44affairs expert, says Saudi Arabia is acting with both restraint and foresight.
00:51The kingdom is also using its influence to reach out to key international
00:56players, aiming to stop this from escalating into a regional war. According to
01:01Richard Witts of the Hudson Institute, Saudi Arabia's role as a longtime US
01:07partner makes it central to any plan for peace. Under President Trump, those ties
01:14only deepened and now Riyadh might be needed more than ever. We have seen Saudi
01:21Arabia mediate between India and Pakistan during Sudan civil war and even helping
01:28open talks between Russia and Ukraine. Could it now be the power broker in this
01:34Israel-Iran showdown? Meanwhile, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is making calls.
01:41Quite literally, he recently spoke with the Greek Prime Minister to discuss the
01:47worsening situation. Both agreed, restraint is crucial and diplomatic solution must come first.
01:54On the other side, Iran is walking a fine line. Since it re-established
02:01relationship with Saudi Arabia in 2023 through a China broker deal, Tehran has taken a more
02:09cautious approach with Riyadh. But that cautious has limits. Just one day before the
02:16Israeli strikes, Iran's defense minister warned that if nuclear talks with the US
02:22collapse and war begins, American bases across the region, including in Saudi Arabia, would be a
02:29legitimate target. Reuters reports that Saudi Arabia's defense minister delivered a very clear
02:37message to Iran. Take Trump's offer seriously, it may be your best shot at avoiding war.
02:44Iran's strategy, according to Wali Nasser, isn't about major shifts. It's about patience,
02:51tactical flexibility while keeping its long-term goals unchanged.
02:56On the other side, when Hamas leader Ismail Hania was assassinated in Tehran, Riyadh called it a blunt
03:05violation of sovereignty. When Israel hit the Iranian consulate in Damas in April previous year,
03:12Saudi Arabia was among the first to condemn it and warn about the dangers of all-out war.
03:18Still behind the scenes, things are evolving. According to a source cited by I-24 News,
03:26some in the Saudi leadership are quietly satisfied with how Israeli actions are weakening Iran. But
03:33they also want progress on the Palestinian issue, possibly as a gateway towards future normalization
03:40with Israel. Let's not forget what Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman told Kramer Wood back in 2021.
03:49We don't look to Israel as an enemy, we look to them as a potential ally with many common interests.
03:56It's a striking statement and it shows that while war may delay normalization, it hasn't erased it.
04:03Former Israeli national security adviser, Mayor bin Shibad, believes Saudi-Israel
04:09relations are still on track though they may take some time. So while missiles fly and threats echo
04:17across the region, Saudi Arabia is playing a more complex game, calming tensions on one hand and
04:24quietly shaping outcomes on the other. Will Riyadh be the peacemaker or the power player that tips the
04:31balance? For more in-depth updates on Iran-Israeli conflict and Saudi Arabia's regional role,
04:39make sure to subscribe to geopolitics lab. Goodbye.
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