Saudi Arabia refused to allow the US to use its airspace and military facilities for the American-led Operation Liberty to secure the Strait of Hormuz at the start of the war with Iran, The Wall Street Journal reports. The denial forced Washington to temporarily suspend the operation, and American officials signaled that future missile-defense support could be cut, prompting Riyadh to relent.
A Wall Street Journal report published Wednesday adds significant detail to the early phase of the US-Iran war, revealing a critical diplomatic rupture between Washington and Riyadh that nearly derailed the American campaign to secure the Strait of Hormuz.
According to the report, Saudi Arabia refused to grant the US access to its airspace and military bases for Operation Liberty — President Trump's initiative to secure the strategic waterway at the outset of the conflict. The refusal forced Washington to temporarily suspend the operation. US officials responded with pressure, including signaling that future missile-defense support for the kingdom could be halted. Riyadh eventually relented and approved the request.
The Journal reports that the incident exposed underlying tensions in what had been a generally strong bilateral relationship. Saudi leaders interpreted recent US diplomatic behavior as dismissive, while Washington officials are now reassessing their regional posture — potentially reducing the US military presence in the kingdom and shifting assets toward partners like Israel and Jordan.
As The Zioneer reported earlier Wednesday from the same WSJ report, US-Saudi relations are at their lowest point in years, with Washington weighing cuts to its security footprint after Riyadh had scuttled Operation Liberty within 24 hours. The new details published an hour later specify the mechanism: a direct denial of airspace and facilities that triggered the suspension.
- DevelopingWSJ: US-Saudi ties at lowest point in years; Washington threatens to halt missile shipment
- DevelopingSaudi Arabia demands return to pre-war Hormuz status; Iran refuses
- DevelopingTrump says Saudi airports used for US strikes on Iran; IRGC threatens Riyadh
- DevelopingU.S. military repeatedly proposed ground operation to seize Strait of Hormuz — Trump declined each time
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