The Saudi Arabian government isn’t fond of Iran and considers them a “regional adversary.” Because of this, the Saudi Arabian government apparently has been funding millions of dollars of American TV advertisements that oppose the Iran nuclear deal, reported The Intercept.
A group called the American Security Initiative (ASI) has been calling upon citizens to contact senators to oppose the Iran nuclear deal. ASI doesn’t disclose its donors, but former Sen. Norm Coleman (R-MN) is president of the organization. The Saudi Arabian government has Coleman’s firm, Hogan Lovells, on legal retainer for $60,000 a month.
Last year, Coleman said he “provid[ed] legal services to the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia” for “legal and policy developments involving Iran and limiting nuclear capability.”
Former Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT), Sen. Evan Bayh (D-IN), and Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R-GA) are all co-chairs for the ASI. Chambliss’ respective lobbying firm, DLA Piper, is also on retainer with the Saudi Arabian government to influence U.S. foreign policy.
Saudi Arabia and Iran have a long-standing economic rivalry, and experts also believe “Iranian oil exports could challenge Saudi Arabia’s dominance in the market.” The lift of economic sanctions on Iran as part of the nuclear deal stands to rekindle that rivalry, and cause an economic competition between the two countries, something Saudi Arabia wants badly to avoid.
The Saudi Arabian government wants the U.S. government to kill the Iran nuclear deal. However, it has nothing to do with war or peace. It has everything to do with money.
