Two Saudi sources: Riyadh prevented Washington from using its bases and airspace in the Hormuz operation

SadaNews - Two Saudi sources reported on Friday that Riyadh prevented the United States from using its airspace and bases on its territory to launch attacks in its brief attempt to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. However, the two sources, who asked to remain anonymous due to the sensitivity of the matter, clarified that Washington's access to Saudi airspace and bases in Saudi Arabia will continue for other uses. Saudi Arabia has repeatedly confirmed that it will not allow its territory or airspace to be used to attack Iran. Earlier this week, U.S. President Donald Trump announced the suspension of the "Freedom Project" a day after it was launched to guide ships through the strait, following an escalation with Iran that threatened the fragile truce between them. American media reported on Thursday that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman spoke directly with Trump and refused to allow U.S. forces to use Saudi airspace and bases in the operation. One of the sources stated that Saudi Arabia "did not allow air sorties under the Freedom Project operation." He added, "Saudi Arabia opposed the operation because it believed it would only escalate the situation and would not succeed." On Friday morning, Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister for Public Diplomacy Raed Qarmi stated in a post on the "X" platform that the Kingdom continues its "supportive stance for de-escalation and avoidance of escalation, as well as for negotiations and the efforts being made in that regard." These statements came after Trump said that the ceasefire with Iran is still in place despite an Iranian attack on three U.S. destroyers in the Strait of Hormuz. The U.S. military stated that it carried out strikes on Iranian military targets in response, while Tehran accused Washington of being the one that started the gunfire.