US media: US and Saudi Arabia at odds over refusal to cooperate with US military at critical moment

Odaily Odaily reported that, according to the Wall Street Journal, this spring, as part of an ambitious operation to open the Strait of Hormuz, over 100 US military aircraft planned to take off from bases and warships across the Middle East, only to encounter an unexpected obstacle: Saudi Arabia—whose bases and airspace were critical to the mission—refused. According to US officials familiar with the matter, this resistance forced the US to halt the "Operation Freedom" plan, thereby ending a military operation just launched by then-President Trump aimed at ensuring safe passage for ships. US and Arab officials familiar with the discussions said the White House angrily threatened to suspend deliveries of interceptors used by Saudi Arabia to shoot down Iranian missiles and drones if it did not change its stance. Saudi Arabia eventually relented, but US officials at the time stated that the damage caused was not easily repaired. Some US officials revealed that the US is currently considering reducing its military presence in Saudi Arabia.