Relations between the United States and Saudi Arabia have entered a new phase of tension following the failure of a US military operation aimed at securing maritime navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. The operation reportedly collapsed after Saudi Arabia refused to allow the use of its airspace and military bases, prompting Washington to threaten to suspend deliveries of sensitive defence systems to the Kingdom.
According to The Wall Street Journal, the dispute over the operation triggered a significant diplomatic and military crisis between the two countries.
Operation “Project Freedom” Collapses
The newspaper reported that more than 100 US military aircraft had been deployed from bases and warships across the Middle East as part of an operation known as “Project Freedom”, launched by US President Donald Trump to secure shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and establish a safe passage for commercial vessels.
However, the operation came to an abrupt halt after Saudi Arabia unexpectedly refused to allow the use of its airspace and military facilities.
According to US officials cited by the newspaper, Washington was forced to cancel the operation entirely, despite preparations already being underway only hours before the decision. The mission, intended to safeguard maritime traffic through one of the world’s most critical shipping routes, was consequently abandoned.
White House Threatens Defence Restrictions
The Wall Street Journal reported that the White House reacted angrily to the Saudi decision, warning that it could suspend deliveries of missile interception systems and drone defence equipment upon which Saudi Arabia relies to counter Iranian attacks if Riyadh did not reverse its position.
According to American and Arab sources quoted by the newspaper, Saudi Arabia later softened its stance. However, the damage to bilateral relations had already been done.
Washington Considers Military Redeployment
The newspaper stated that officials within the US administration subsequently began examining options to reduce the American military presence inside Saudi Arabia and redistribute forces to countries viewed as more supportive during the conflict, including Israel and Jordan.
The report noted that these discussions remain in their early stages and that no final decisions have been made.
According to the newspaper, the dispute represents the most serious disagreement between Washington and Riyadh in years, despite a partnership that has long formed one of the pillars of the Gulf’s security architecture.
Rubio Skips Saudi Arabia During Gulf Tour
In a related development, The Wall Street Journal reported that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio visited several Gulf states last week, including the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Bahrain, all of which were directly affected during the conflict with Iran.
Saudi Arabia, however, was absent from the itinerary.
According to the newspaper, Saudi officials viewed the omission as a deliberate diplomatic slight.
The US administration rejected that interpretation, stating that Rubio held positive discussions with Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan on the sidelines of the Gulf Cooperation Council meeting in Bahrain. The joint communiqué issued afterwards reaffirmed the parties’ commitment to their strategic partnership.
Mohammed bin Salman Declined G7 Invitation
The newspaper also reported that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman declined an invitation to attend the G7 Summit in France one week before the latest developments, allegedly in protest over Washington’s handling of the conflict.
Saudi sources, however, maintained that the decision was due to prior commitments.
Despite the current tensions, The Wall Street Journal noted that relations between the two countries have not broken down completely.
White House spokesperson Anna Kelly stated that Washington and Riyadh continue to maintain a strong relationship, adding that President Trump listens to the views of regional partners while ultimately making decisions based on US national interests.
Strategic Importance of the US Saudi Relationship
The newspaper explained that Saudi Arabia remains one of the most important pillars of US policy in the Middle East because of its role in maintaining global oil supplies, preserving regional balance, purchasing large volumes of American weapons, and investing heavily in strategic sectors including rare earth minerals, artificial intelligence and civilian nuclear energy.
According to the report, the American military presence in Saudi Arabia dates back to 1945, when Washington established its first military facilities in the Kingdom.
That presence expanded significantly during the wars involving Iraq, particularly through Prince Sultan Air Base, which served as a key defensive position against Iran during Trump’s first administration.
Previous Disputes
The newspaper noted that relations between the two countries have experienced periods of strain before, particularly after the 11 September attacks, when Washington reduced parts of its military presence due to political sensitivities within Saudi Arabia.
In 2020, during Trump’s first administration, the United States also withdrew Patriot missile defence systems from Saudi Arabia following disagreements over oil production, arguing at the time that the systems were no longer necessary.
Diverging Positions on Iran
According to The Wall Street Journal, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman invested heavily in his relationship with President Trump during the latter’s second term.
This was reflected in a White House visit last year, during which Trump publicly praised the Saudi Crown Prince while largely overlooking the 2018 killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, an issue that had previously generated significant tensions between the two countries.
The newspaper argued, however, that the disagreement over the war with Iran ran far deeper.
Saudi Arabia and several Gulf states reportedly opposed military escalation against Iran from the outset, warning that such action could lead to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, rising oil prices and major disruptions to global markets.
Despite those concerns, the United States, alongside Israel, proceeded with military operations against Iran, reinforcing Saudi perceptions that its influence over American decision making had become limited.
Regional Escalation
According to the newspaper, Iran responded with a series of missile and drone attacks targeting oil facilities, airports and energy infrastructure across the Gulf, including sites in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar.
Although Gulf states were initially cautious, the report stated that they later permitted the United States to use their airspace and military facilities, while some countries participated indirectly in strikes against Iranian targets without any official announcement from Riyadh.
At the same time, critical Gulf infrastructure came under Iranian attack, including gas facilities in Qatar, oil ports in the United Arab Emirates and petroleum complexes in Saudi Arabia, further escalating regional tensions.
Saudi Arabia Pushes for De-escalation
As concerns grew over continued attacks on energy infrastructure, Saudi Arabia reportedly shifted towards de-escalation.
The Kingdom opened communication channels with Iran while simultaneously strengthening security cooperation with Pakistan, which played a role in mediation efforts and attempts to reduce tensions.
Saudi Arabia also urged Washington to pressure its regional allies, including the United Arab Emirates, to halt retaliatory attacks against Iran, warning that continued escalation could expose Gulf energy infrastructure to further strikes.
“Project Freedom” Sparks Diplomatic Crisis
Despite these concerns, The Wall Street Journal reported that Washington continued its pressure campaign against Iran and announced “Project Freedom” through social media as an operation to secure navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.
The announcement reportedly caught Gulf states, including Saudi Arabia, by surprise.
Once the operation commenced, US warships entered the Gulf, supported by fighter aircraft, helicopters and drones as part of a broad mission to protect commercial shipping.
Following internal consultations, however, Saudi Arabia decided to prohibit the use of its airspace and military bases, concluding that the operation risked provoking Iran and dangerously escalating the situation.
According to the newspaper, the decision surprised the US administration, effectively halted the operation, and triggered a crisis of confidence between the two sides, followed by a series of tense communications between President Trump and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
Regional Reactions
The newspaper reported that both the United Arab Emirates and Israel expressed dissatisfaction with Saudi Arabia’s position, particularly as Abu Dhabi had adopted a more confrontational approach towards Iran since the conflict began, deepening divisions between the two Gulf capitals.
It also claimed that the UAE later withdrew from OPEC in April, a move interpreted as an effort to reshape its security and economic priorities while strengthening its partnership with the United States and Israel.
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia continued pursuing a policy of de-escalation, gradually rebuilding relations with Iran alongside expanding defence coordination with Pakistan.
Washington Reviews Its Regional Strategy
According to The Wall Street Journal, after the failure of “Project Freedom”, the United States did not relaunch the operation.
Instead, Washington reportedly shifted some military activities underground, conducting them with less public visibility while reducing its overt military profile in the Gulf.
The newspaper concluded by stating that the US administration is now reviewing its military posture across the region, with greater emphasis on allies that offered stronger support during the conflict, including Israel and Jordan, although no final decision has been reached regarding the future of the American military presence in Saudi Arabia.
