worldU.S.-Saudi Rift Deepens After Riyadh Blocks Military Access During Iran War
A major diplomatic crisis erupted between Washington and Riyadh after Saudi Arabia reportedly refused to allow U.S. forces to use its bases and airspace for “Operation Freedom,” fearing Iranian retaliation against its oil infrastructure. The move forced the U.S. to cancel the operation and led to White House threats to suspend key air defense missile supplies to the kingdom.