The ongoing war involving Iran and the subsequent closure of the Strait of Hormuz have created significant friction between the United States and Saudi Arabia, prompting the U.S. to re-evaluate its military footprint in the kingdom, according to officials. Disputes concerning President Trump's approach to the conflict and economic pressures on Saudi Arabia have reportedly soured the partnership, leading to mutual distancing and a reduction in the joint military alliance.
The U.S. is now considering shifting its military focus to allies actively supporting the war with Iran, such as Israel and Jordan, sources familiar with the matter told The Wall Street Journal.
The alliance's strain began to surface after the U.S. and Israel initiated a joint military action against Iran in February, a move that Saudi Arabia and its Gulf neighbors had opposed for months due to fears of regional retaliation and disruption of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping lane for Saudi oil exports.
These fears materialized during the war, with Saudi Arabia becoming a target of Iran despite its initial reluctance to grant the U.S. access to its bases and airspace for the operations. Furthermore, the Trump administration reportedly disregarded Saudi Arabia's calls for an early cessation of hostilities and the lifting of American blockades on Iranian ports, as Riyadh advocated for diplomatic solutions over military engagement.
The situation escalated when President Trump announced "Project Freedom," an initiative intended to protect oil tankers and cargo ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz. In response, Saudi Arabia, concerned about potential retaliatory attacks from Iran and the disruption of the Bab al-Mandab Strait—where its exports had been rerouted—restricted access to its military facilities and airspace. Consequently, "Project Freedom" was quickly abandoned after just two days, having only escorted two American vessels through the strait.
Relations have remained tense since then. Saudi Arabia reportedly ended its restrictions on basing and airspace access only after U.S. officials warned of potentially removing the kingdom from its priority list for defense weapon allocations.
Adding to the strained diplomatic ties, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman declined an invitation to the G7 summit in France last month, a move seen as a protest against the U.S. handling of the Iran war. Secretary of State Marco Rubio also omitted Saudi Arabia from his recent Middle East tour, which included countries impacted by Iran's actions during the conflict. Although the U.S. and the Gulf Cooperation Council, of which Saudi Arabia is a member, have publicly reaffirmed their commitment to the partnership, Riyadh perceived Rubio's bypass as a deliberate snub.
The extent of the rift between Washington and Riyadh remains uncertain, given the strategic importance of their relationship to global petrodollar markets, critical mineral supply chains, and significant U.S. arms trade with the kingdom.