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EX-UK PM Blair accused of spreading Iranophobia with Saudi money

Sunday, 10 February 2019 2:29 PM [ Last Update: Monday, 11 February 2019 11:37 AM ]

A protester wearing a mask depicting Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair gestures to the camera during a protest in London, January 29, 2015. (Photo by Getty Images)

Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair and his private organization have been accused of receiving money from Saudi Arabia to spread biased views against Iran.

Blair was speaking on Sunday to Sky News’ Sophy Ridge when he was asked about the huge cash he and the Tony Blair Institute (TBI) had received from the Saudi government and its subsidiaries and how that money had influenced him in his anti-Iran campaign.

“Some of our viewers as well, that’s in the public domain, will be questioning the fact that the Tony Blair Institute has received money from a group called Media Investment Ltd, close to the Saudi regime, they may think that’s partly why you’re talking out about it (Iran),” Bridge asked the former premiere.

The TBI, launched only three years ago, signed a huge contract with the Saudi regime in 2018 to allegedly advise the kingdom on some modernization plans.

PressTV-'Tony Blair advising Saudi Arabia under £9 million deal'

Saudi Arabia reportedly pays out more than $11 million to an institute run by former British prime minister Tony Blair in exchange for its advisory role.

During the interview, Blair tried to evade the question by offering general responses.

The British premier from 1997 to 2007 said the West should continue to “push back” against Tehran.

“The reason why I speak about these things, and I’ve spoken about the power of Iran for a long period of time, is because it has nothing to do about backing Saudi vs Iran,” said Blair, adding, "If you look at the 40 years of the Iranian Revolution what’s interesting is that ideology is still very powerful.”

More than a decade after he left power, Blair is still hated in Britain and elsewhere in the world for his major role in launching the US-led war on Iraq in 2003.

Numerous documents that emerged years after Blair’s resignation have shown that his government used false and fabricated intelligence documents to mislead the British public and win parliamentary support to enter the deadly war along with the administration of former US President George W. Bush.

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