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Saudi purchase of US missile system ‘directed against Iran’: Ex-US diplomat

Saturday, 07 October 2017 5:54 PM [ Last Update: Saturday, 07 October 2017 6:10 PM ]

THAAD

A $15 billion Saudi Arabian purchase of Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile system from the United States will escalate tensions in the Persian Gulf region, a former US Senate policy adviser and diplomat says.

James Jatras, who is also a specialist in international relations and legislative politics in Washington, DC, made the remarks in an interview with Press TV on Saturday.

The Donald Trump administration approved the weapon sale on Friday -- a move that the State Department said is aimed at addressing the kingdom's regional concerns.

"This sale furthers US national security and foreign policy interests, and supports the long-term security of Saudi Arabia and the [Persian] Gulf region in the face of Iranian and other regional threats," the State Department said in a statement.

PressTV-US approves $15bn THAAD sale to Saudi Arabia

The Trump administration has authorized a $15 billion sale of THAAD missiles to Saudi Arabia.

Jatras told Press TV that the Saudi purchase is “mainly directed against Iran.”

“The latest installment of the Saudi government’s arms buying spree, as we have seen in the past very often that Saudi Arabia buys sophisticated weapons that they even are not capable of using,” he stated.

“I am not sure that would be the case here. Very likely these weapons would come with technical personnel in order to operate them,” the analyst said.

“Of course these weapons have a very broad array of range that would cover much of the region -- clearly this is mainly directed against Iran,” he observed.

“I think this is one more step in an escalation in the Persian Gulf region which cannot have a good outcome if we keep going down this road,” he concluded.

PressTV-Flow of US-made arms to Saudi Arabia

The United States has agreed to sell THAAD missile system to Saudi Arabia.

Besides THAAD, the US package for Saudi Arabia also included Patriot missiles, tanks, artillery, armored personnel carriers, warships, helicopters, patrol boats and their associated weapons systems.

According to DSCA, Saudis had put in orders for 44 THAAD launchers, 360 Interceptor missiles, 16 Fire Control and Communications Mobile Tactical Station Groups and seven AN/TPY-2 cutting-edge THAAD radars.

Lockheed Martin and Raytheon are the two main US contractors who will profit from the sale.

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www.presstv.co.uk