Saudi Arabia denies US access for fresh Hormuz operation

Saudi Arabia prohibited the United States from using its airspace and bases on its territory to launch operations for its brief bid to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, two Saudi sources told AFP on Friday.

But the sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive matters, said Washington’s access to Saudi airspace and bases would continue for other uses.

Saudi Arabia has repeatedly said it will not allow its territory and airspace to be used to attack Iran.

Earlier this week, US President Donald Trump announced a pause in the two-day-old “Project Freedom” to guide ships through the strait, after a flare-up with Iran strained a fragile ceasefire.

US media reports on Thursday said Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the de facto Saudi leader, talked directly to Trump and refused to let US forces use Saudi airspace and bases for the operation.

Saudi Arabia “did not allow flights for operation Freedom”, one of the sources told AFP.

“Saudi Arabia was against the operation because it felt it would just escalate the situation and would not work,” the source added.

On Friday morning, Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Minister for Public Diplomacy Rayed Krimly said the kingdom “maintains its position supporting de-escalation and negotiations efforts”, in a post on social media.

The comments came as Trump said the ceasefire with Iran was still in place despite an Iranian attack on three American destroyers in the Strait of Hormuz.

The US military said it carried out strikes on Iranian military targets in response, although Tehran charged that it was Washington that had initiated the exchange of fire.

AFP