The New York Times revealed a severe crisis and unprecedented tension between Saudi Arabia and the United States, after Riyadh played a direct role in pushing US President Donald Trump to cancel Operation Freedom Project within just two days of its launch, following its refusal to allow US forces to use its airspace to carry out the mission during the war on Iran.
According to the newspaper, the Saudi decision surprised the US Central Command and confused the White House, leading to extensive contacts between Trump and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, which also involved Vice President J.D. Vance and high-level envoys, without Riyadh changing its position for fear of a broad regional war.
The disagreement reflects a shift in the strategic vision between the two countries after the war, especially on the Iran file, as Saudi Arabia focuses on the missile threat and Tehran's regional influence, while Washington and Israel put the nuclear file at the forefront. It also pointed out that Riyadh is moving towards a more independent approach, by strengthening its relations with China and Pakistan and opening direct channels of communication with Iran.
It added that the new Saudi policy emerged during the recent war, as Riyadh responded to Iranian attacks on its oil facilities, before opening channels of communication with Tehran that contributed to reducing tensions ahead of the ceasefire agreement between Washington and Tehran.
While Saudi Arabia welcomes the U.S.-Iran MoU, the newspaper stresses that mutual suspicions remain high and that the strategic relationship between the two countries is undergoing an unprecedented test.
In a brief comment, White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly said Trump maintains an excellent relationship with Saudi Arabia, but acknowledged that there are differences in positions, stressing that the president's decisions are made in accordance with what serves U.S. interests and national security.
Intelligence official: US-Saudi relations have deteriorated significantly
A Middle East intelligence official told The Times of Israel that relations between the United States and Saudi Arabia have "deteriorated significantly" in recent months, as Saudi-US relations have been experiencing a phase of "unprecedented tension" for years, driven by the fallout from the war on Iran.
The source added that while Washington has continued with its military options despite Saudi warnings of its repercussions on the security and stability of the region, clear signs of a "decline in mutual trust" have begun to emerge, as embodied in the United States' discussion of "reducing its military presence in the Kingdom," according to news sources.
According to a Middle East intelligence official who spoke to The Times of Israel, relations between the two countries have "deteriorated significantly" in recent months, which is in line in part with what the Wall Street Journal reported.
The sequence of the decline in relations between Washington and Riyadh
According to reports based on the Hebrew newspaper, Saudi Arabia initially refused to grant permission to the United States to use its air bases and airspace to carry out Operation Freedom Project, which was aimed at breaking Iranian control over the Strait of Hormuz and securing passages for stranded ships, which led to the cancellation of the operation almost immediately after its launch, despite its importance to the US military command.
According to the Wall Street Journal, the Saudi decision angered the White House, which threatened to delay the delivery of air defense systems that Riyadh relies on to counter Iranian missiles and drones. Despite this, the kingdom stuck to its position before later returning and agreeing to resume cooperation, which allowed the process to be restarted in secret, but the effects of the dispute remained clear and affected the level of trust between the two sides.
Washington is currently considering scaling back its military presence in Saudi Arabia, coinciding with a tour by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio that included the UAE, Kuwait and Bahrain and ignored Riyadh, in a move the kingdom saw as an indication of escalating diplomatic tensions. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman also refused to participate in the G7 summit attended by Trump, in protest of the US approach to managing the war.
Saudi Arabia had warned early on of the dangers of military escalation against Iran, fearing the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and the collapse of regional stability, but later agreed to use its air bases as part of operations, only to find itself facing intensive Iranian attacks targeting facilities inside the kingdom, while Riyadh carried out counterstrikes against Iranian positions, according to US and Gulf officials.
The kingdom also expressed reservations about the continuation of Emirati military operations against Iran, calling on Washington to pressure Abu Dhabi to stop the attacks and engage in a regional diplomatic track that would de-escalate, according to the newspaper.
Riyadh Asks for Lifting US Restrictions on Iranian Ports
According to the Wall Street Journal, Saudi Arabia demanded that the United States lift restrictions on Iranian ports during the war, but the Trump administration refused to do so until a comprehensive political agreement was reached.
The understanding between the parties includes a 60-day truce to stop the fighting that erupted following U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran in February, as well as the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and a timeframe for a final agreement on Iran's nuclear program.
The Wall Street Journal noted that Trump told aides that this timeframe is "adjustable."
Israel has not participated in these negotiations, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has distanced himself from the deal. However, the terms of the understanding stipulate that the parties, including the United States, Iran and their allies, are committed to stopping the war.
On the other hand, Israeli officials have expressed strong opposition to these arrangements, considering that they do not achieve the main goals of the war, foremost among which are the dismantling of Iran's nuclear and missile programs and the creation of conditions conducive to regime change in Tehran.
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