KSA destabilizing situation in Iraq: Jamal Wakim

Press TV has conducted an interview with Jamal Wakim, political analyst, about the recent rise of violence in Iraq.

What follows is an approximate transcription of the interview.

Press TV: First of all, let’s discuss the recent rise of violence in Iraq that has unfortunately left a trail of death and destruction over the past few months.

Wakim: Well the violence in Iraq cannot be separated from the developments in Syria, Lebanon and even in Yemen and it cannot be separated from the Iranian-American preliminary deal over the Iranian nuclear program because Saudi Arabia feels a bit threatened by this possibility of an American-Iranian breakthrough on its hegemonic role in the region and the prospects of rise of Iranian role.

So that is why it is instigating troubles to the Syrians, to the Iraqis and even to the Lebanese who are considered as allies of Iran in the region. So destabilizing the situation in [Iraq] falls in this context.

Press TV: Mr. Wakim, elaborating on the violence there, who is benefiting from this recent wave of violence in Iraq?

Wakim: Definitely there are local elements that try to destabilize the regime in Iraq especially that it considers that this regime is not representing its interests mainly some local forces in western Iraq on one hand, but at the same time it runs in the benefit of the Saudis, mainly Bandar bin Sultan who wants to target all those that he considers as Iranian allies in the region including Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki in Iraq, especially that Nouri al-Maliki has refused to support the insurgents in Syria and to support the Saudis regarding their stance towards the Syrian crisis.

So that is why they thought of destabilizing the situation in Iraq maybe to pressure him to make concessions and fall into their trap by supporting the insurgents in Syria.