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Analysis

Saudi Arabia's display of weapons debris is extraordinary but they feel it is worth it

The Saudis' air defences failed spectacularly and the consequence was laid out on display to the world, writes Sky's Mark Stone.

Saudi defence ministry spokesman Colonel Turki Al-Malik displays remains of the missiles which Saudi government says were used to attack an Aramco oil facility, during a news conference in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia September 18, 2019. REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed
Image: Saudi defence ministry spokesman displays tjhe remains of the missiles
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With an extraordinary display of wreckage, the Saudi government has explicitly named Iran as being responsible for the weekend attack on the two oil facilities.

Laid out on a stage, the wreckage of least seven drones and two cruise missiles now forms a central part of the case against Iran.

Until now, Gulf Arab states like the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia have been reluctant to name Iran so explicitly.

Saudi defence ministry spokesman Colonel Turki Al-Malik displays remains of the missiles which Saudi government says were used to attack an Aramco oil facility, during a news conference in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia September 18, 2019. REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed
Image: Saudi defence ministry spokesman displays tjhe remains of the missiles

If there is a military response, they would be on the frontline of the massive and dangerous escalation which would surely follow.

But the attack on two oil facilities, which knocked out half of Saudi's oil production crossed a red line.

Saudi Arabia says this isn't an attack on their country, it is a deliberate attack on the world economy and that there must be a response.

Speaking in English (rather than Arabic) and with international diplomats and military officers in the audience, the spokesman was trying to build an international coalition against Iran.

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The question is what sort of response will the Saudis, and the Americans, go for?

To strike Iran could dangerously escalate things. Not to respond overly could make them appear weak and Iran immune.

Slides from Saudi Arabia's powerpoint presentation on attacks it says were arranged by Iran
Image: Slides from Saudi Arabia's powerpoint presentation on the attacks it says were arranged by Iran

From a military perspective this is deeply embarrassing for Saudi Arabia.

"Where is the air defence? Yes it is embarrassing," retired Saudi Air Force general Mohammed al Qubaiban told me.

They clearly feel acknowledging the failings is worth it because countering Iran, its influence and the danger they believe it poses is the priority.

"This is a message for the Iranian people and the Iranian regime..." the general told me. "We will not sit tight and just watch what you are doing the region. No. We will take our proper action by the proper means."

What that action is will presumably become clear over the next few days.