00:00And Saudi Arabia and the U.S. have carried out joint strikes against Iran-backed militias
00:05in Iraq. This is the first time the kingdom has publicly acknowledged taking part in such
00:11an operation. What did you make of the timing of this?
00:16You know what? I have to say that the strikes came after more than 30 drones attacks in less
00:22than 72 hours, targeting U.S. forces and also the kingdom's main oil facilities.
00:30They were all from Iraq. The kingdom had warned Baghdad repeatedly that attacks coming from
00:36Iraq would not go unanswered. And I think that the warning was serious and meant to be taken
00:44seriously. We had four Iran military advisors that were killed alongside the militia fighters,
00:51which I believe will send and should send a clear message to Tahirah and also Baghdad.
00:56The Iraqi also, I mean, on the other side, the Iraqi prime minister canceled his planned
01:03real visit, which is a real cost. But my view, the kingdom judged that letting attacks and
01:10its oil infrastructure goes unanswered would cause more damage over time than any diplomatic
01:19friction with Baghdad at the current moment.
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