The Wall Street Journal reports that US-Saudi relations have hit a multi-year low, with Washington considering cutting its security presence in the kingdom after Riyadh scuttled 'Operation Liberty' within a day. The US is now threatening to halt a shipment of interceptor missiles to Saudi Arabia, according to the report.
The Wall Street Journal, as relayed by Israeli journalist Assaf Rosenzweig (N12), reports that US-Saudi relations have deteriorated to their worst point in years. According to the report, Riyadh imposed restrictions on the use of American bases on its soil and effectively scuttled the Trump administration's 'Operation Liberty' within 24 hours. In response, Washington is considering reducing its military presence in the kingdom and is threatening to halt a shipment of interceptor missiles to Saudi Arabia.
The report adds that Riyadh was offended by Secretary of State Marco Rubio's decision to 'skip' the kingdom during his Gulf tour last week, and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman declined an invitation to join the G7 summit in France — an event attended by other Arab leaders. The Zioneer first reported the initial WSJ story at 06:25 Jerusalem time, noting that US-Saudi ties were at a low. This follow-up report, also via Rosenzweig, adds the threat to halt the missile shipment, further escalating the rift.
2 developments
- DevelopingWSJ: US considers reducing Gulf presence, moving assets to Israel after Iranian strikes
- StrongUS B-52 Bomber Reported Entering Saudi Airspace, Suggests Imminent Strikes on Iran
- DevelopingBallistic missile crosses into Saudi airspace, Arab desk reports
- DevelopingWSJ: US applies pressure on Israel to withdraw from southern Lebanon
Source and signal
A single-sourced dispatch is never rated Confirmed or Strong. Its Signal strengthens only when a second, independent source corroborates it.
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