Warnings of a coup inside Saudi Arabia.. A former American intelligence officer likens the fate of the House of Saud to the fall of the Shah in Iran

Riyadh - Ofoq News - Former American intelligence officer Scott Ritter warned of the possibility of a coup within the ruling family in Saudi Arabia, which could overthrow Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and threaten the future of the Al Saud rule, in a scenario he likened to the fall of the Shah in Iran in 1979.

According to a report published by the Israeli newspaper Maariv, Ritter believes that the war in Yemen, pressures on the oil sector, and tensions within the ruling family constitute factors that may threaten the stability of the Kingdom and have implications for the entire region.

The war in Yemen and economic pressures

Ritter considered that the war with the Houthi group, in which Saudi Arabia began its direct military intervention in 2015, has turned into a long-term exhaustion, contrary to expectations of a quick resolution. He claimed that attacks on oil facilities and export routes weakened the Kingdom's ability to secure its exports, increasing economic risks.

The former officer linked these developments to the “Saudi Vision 2030” project, considering that continued reliance on oil revenues makes any long-term disruption in production and export a pressure factor on the Kingdom’s economic plans.

Fears of conflict within the ruling family

Regarding internal affairs, Ritter referred to the measures taken by Mohammed bin Salman since 2017 to strengthen his power, including the detention of princes and prominent figures, considering that the concentration of power may increase the possibilities of conflict within the ruling family.

He suggested that any potential change in leadership would be the result of a move from within the regime, warning that a power struggle could lead to widespread unrest and affect the region's balance.

Potential repercussions on the Gulf

Ritter went on to present broad scenarios in the event of the collapse of Saudi rule, including a change in the balance of power in the Gulf, the expansion of the influence of Iran and the Houthis, and increased pressure on neighboring countries.

These perceptions remain estimates put forward by Ritter, and are not confirmation of the imminent collapse of the Saudi regime or the occurrence of a coup. Also, allegations related to the disruption of oil exports and the extent of damage to infrastructure need independent verification from reliable sources.