U.S.-Saudi Rift Emerges After Saudi Arabia Refused Support for Hormuz Mission, Report Says

A reported dispute emerged between the United States and Saudi Arabia after Riyadh declined to support a U.S. military operation intended to secure passage through the Strait of Hormuz. According to Jin10, The Wall Street Journal reported that in the spring of this year, the U.S. military planned for more than 100 aircraft to take off from bases and ships across the Middle East as part of an operation aimed at opening access through the strait. The plan encountered an unexpected obstacle when Saudi Arabia, whose bases and airspace were described as critical to the mission, refused to participate. U.S. officials familiar with the matter said the resistance forced Washington to halt the “Freedom Operation” plan, ending a military effort that U.S. President Donald Trump had just launched at the time to ensure safe passage for vessels. U.S. and Arab officials familiar with the discussions said the White House angrily threatened to pause deliveries to Saudi Arabia of interceptors used to stop Iranian missiles and drones if Riyadh did not change its position. Saudi Arabia ultimately relented, but U.S. officials said at the time that the damage caused by the episode would not be easily repaired. One U.S. official said the United States is now considering reducing its military presence in Saudi Arabia.