The head of the US Central Command says Riyadh continues to seek US military assistance to deter Iran.
According to Sputnik, Gen. Kenneth McKenzie, Chief of Staff of US Central Command (Centcom), told reporters that “Despite Washington’s withdrawal of support for the Saudi-led coalition war against Yemen earlier this year, Joe Biden’s government remains committed to providing military assistance to Saudi Arabia, including increasing the effectiveness of its air defense system against Yemeni National Salvation Government missiles.” .
He further added that Riyadh continues to seek US military assistance to deter Iran.
The senior US military commander went on to tell the media that the Saudis “want to reassure themselves that they will be helped in the event of an attack by Iran, and they also want to receive help against the ongoing attacks by the Yemeni National Salvation Government.”
McKenzie claimed without sufficient evidence: “I believe that the United States’ position in this area has prevented a country like Iran from invading another country.”
He also said: “The Middle East is broadly a close competitive arena between the great powers, and I think we have adjusted our position in the region, and Russia and China are watching closely to see if there is a vacuum (power) in the region, to their advantage. I think they see that the United States is shifting its focus to other parts of the world, and so they feel that there may be an opportunity for them.”