Trending 
Saudi Arabia reportedly barred the United States from using its airspace and military bases for operations linked to Washington’s brief attempt to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, two Saudi sources told AFP on Friday.
The sources, who spoke anonymously due to the sensitivity of the issue, said the restriction applied specifically to the operation known as “Project Freedom,” but noted that US access to Saudi facilities and airspace for other purposes remained unaffected.
Riyadh has consistently maintained that its territory and airspace should not be used for attacks against Iran.
US President Donald Trump earlier this week announced a pause in the operation, which had aimed to escort ships through the strategic waterway as tensions with Tehran heightened.
Reports in US media on Thursday indicated that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman directly informed Trump that Saudi Arabia would not permit the use of its bases or airspace for the mission.
One of the Saudi sources said the kingdom opposed the operation because it believed the move would further escalate tensions in the region without resolving the crisis.
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.
Saudi Deputy Minister for Public Diplomacy Rayed Krimly reiterated on Friday that the kingdom remains committed to de-escalation and diplomatic negotiations.
The development comes as continued uncertainty surrounds the fragile ceasefire between the United States and Iran.
Trump said the truce remained in effect despite an Iranian attack on three American destroyers in the Strait of Hormuz.
The US military said it responded with strikes on Iranian military targets, while Tehran accused Washington of initiating the confrontation.
