U.S. Media: US and Saudi Arabia at Odds Over Refusal to Cooperate with US Military at a Critical Moment

Odaily Planet Daily News 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, but encountered an unexpected obstacle: Saudi Arabia—whose bases and airspace were crucial to the mission—refused to cooperate. According to US officials familiar with the matter, this resistance forced the US to abandon the "Freedom of Navigation" operation, thus ending the military action just initiated by then-President Trump to ensure the safe passage of ships. American and Arab officials familiar with the discussions said the White House angrily threatened to suspend the delivery of interceptors used to intercept Iranian missiles and drones if Saudi Arabia did not change its stance. Saudi Arabia eventually backed down, but US officials at the time indicated the damage caused would be difficult to easily repair. Some US officials have revealed that the US is currently considering scaling back its military presence in Saudi Arabia.