Saudis Agree to Turn Blind Eye to Israeli Raid on Iran

This is, of course, more about Saudi Arabia's disdain for Iran and fear of a growth in Shiite power than about any affection for Israel. From The Sunday Times:

"The head of Mossad, Israel’s overseas intelligence service, has assured Benjamin Netanyahu, its prime minister, that Saudi Arabia would turn a blind eye to Israeli jets flying over the kingdom during any future raid on Iran’s nuclear sites.

Earlier this year Meir Dagan, Mossad’s director since 2002, held secret talks with Saudi officials to discuss the possibility.

The Israeli press has already carried unconfirmed reports that high-ranking officials, including Ehud Olmert, the former prime minister, held meetings with Saudi colleagues. The reports were denied by Saudi officials.

'The Saudis have tacitly agreed to the Israeli air force flying through their airspace on a mission which is supposed to be in the common interests of both Israel and Saudi Arabia,' a diplomatic source said last week.

Although the countries have no formal diplomatic relations, an Israeli defence source confirmed that Mossad maintained 'working relations' with the Saudis.

John Bolton, the former US ambassador to the United Nations who recently visited the Gulf, said it was 'entirely logical' for the Israelis to use Saudi airspace.

Bolton, who has talked to several Arab leaders, added: 'None of them would say anything about it publicly but they would certainly acquiesce in an overflight if the Israelis didn’t trumpet it as a big success.'”

I agree with JB -- the Saudis would definitely give such approval on the down-low, but they wouldn't shed any tears if Iran's nuclear capability was seriously nipped in the bud. Saudi Arabia has even bristled at the diplomatic outreach attempted toward Iran by the Obama administration, concerned that their interests would come in second.