Divert missiles to Ukraine meant for Saudi, has cut crude oil production

Washington: The demand for action against Saudi Arabia, which has decided to cut crude oil production without any consideration for the United States, is gaining momentum. Missiles to be supplied to Saudi and the Patriot air defence systems should be diverted to Ukraine. The members of the ‘Foreign Relations Committee’ in the US Senate proposed that the United States reconsider military deployment in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East. But some US senators and analysts are warning that if the Biden administration takes such a decision, it will harm not only Saudi but also the United States.

Chris Murphy, a senior member of the US Senate’s Foreign Relations Committee, and Senator Ro Khanna demanded that Saudi Arabia, responsible for OPEC Plus’s decision, be taught a lesson. Both Senators Murphy and Khanna have been known for their anti-Saudi stance. Both have suggested that US military aid meant for Saudi Arabia should be channelled directly to Ukraine or European NATO members to fight against Russia.

Murphy demanded that the 280 ‘Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles,’ i.e., AMRAM missiles and the ‘National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System,’ i.e., NASAMS system approved for Saudi, should be dispatched for the security of Ukraine. Murphy said that the Patriot air defence system to be provided to Saudi Arabia to counter missile attacks by Houthi rebels and Iran should also be supplied to Ukraine. Murphy claimed that the Patriot would stop Russian missile attacks on Ukraine.

Khanna has also demanded that the Patriot system be supplied to Ukraine. Earlier, Murphy and Khanna had raised the issue of human rights and got a motion passed by the Senate to block Saudi military aid. Murphy and Khanna also supported US military withdrawal from Saudi Arabia. Also, these two senators suggested that President Biden should not visit Saudi Arabia and meet Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Last week, OPEC Plus, which includes Russia, announced a decision to cut crude oil production by 2 million barrels per day. The implementation of this decision will start in November. Leading financial institutions and newspapers in the United States expressed concern that the price of fuel in the international market will go up to $110, given this decision of OPEC Plus. US President Joe Biden also threatened Saudi Arabia with severe consequences of the decision to cut fuel production.

Meanwhile, it will only harm the US if the Biden administration takes this decision against Saudi. Analysts at the study groups in the United States are warning that US bases and places in the Middle East, including Saudi Arabia, will come within the range of Iranian missiles and drones.