Saudi Arabia Bans US from Using Its Bases for Missions in the Strait of Hormuz

Saudi Arabia has banned the United States (US) from using its bases and airspace for missions in the Strait of Hormuz. This prohibition includes US operations to strike Iran.

Quoted from detikNews, the ban was directly communicated by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to US President Donald Trump. “Saudi Arabia ‘does not permit flights for freedom operations (project freedom),’” one source told AFP, as quoted on Friday (8/5/2026).

“Saudi Arabia opposes those operations because it feels they will only escalate the situation and will not succeed,” the source stated.

Additionally, Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Minister for Public Diplomacy, Rayed Krimly, stated that the kingdom “maintains its position in support of de-escalation and negotiation efforts” in a social media post.

These comments emerge as US President Donald Trump stated that the ceasefire with Iran remains in effect despite Iran attacking three American destroyers in the Strait of Hormuz.

The US military said it had conducted strikes on Iranian military targets in response, although Tehran accused Washington of initiating the exchange of fire.