The Gulf: So’s Your Old Ayatullah

The rulers of Saudi Arabia, ordinarily loath to clash openly with Muslim brethren, have decided to take off the gloves. Their wrath is directed at the Iranian government of Ayatullah Ruhollah Khomeini, whom the Saudis blame for last month’s rioting in the holy city of Mecca in which 400 people were reported killed. In Jidda last week Prince Naif, the Saudi Interior Minister, held a rare press conference at which he charged that Iran had plotted a “conspiracy” in sending Shi’ite Muslim “criminal gangs” to Mecca to foment trouble against the Saudis.

Iran also came under attack in the Persian Gulf last week when Iraqi jets hit the Iranian island of Sirri, 80 miles northwest of Dubai. The strike, which set ablaze an Iranian tanker, threatened to heat up the tanker war, which has been quiet since early July. If Iran retaliates, a primary target may be the reflagged Kuwaiti tankers and their U.S. escorts.