US to Shift Troops from Saudi Arabia to Israel and Jordan

Washington (ANTARA) - The United States is considering reducing its military presence in Saudi Arabia and concentrating its forces in more cooperative countries, such as Israel and Jordan, during a military campaign against Iran, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal.

The report, citing several sources on Tuesday, stated that during President Donald Trump’s first term, the US had increased its military presence at Prince Sultan Air Base to deter Iran.

However, disagreements between the US and Saudi Arabia over Operation Epic Fury and Project Freedom led to discussions about reducing American troops in the kingdom.

Fearing an escalation of tensions, Saudi Arabia blocked US military access to the base and its airspace shortly after Project Freedom was launched.

In response, the US threatened to delay the delivery of interceptor systems that Saudi Arabia uses to defend itself against Iranian missiles and drones. This forced Riyadh to lift the restrictions.

However, the US did not renew Project Freedom, instead shifting to covert coordination with ships to help them leave the Strait of Hormuz at night by turning off their transmitters, the report said.

Last week, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio visited the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and Bahrain, but not Saudi Arabia.

For Riyadh, Rubio’s move was perceived as an openly unfriendly statement. The Trump administration rejected this interpretation, saying that Rubio held productive talks with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud in Bahrain and that relations between Washington and Riyadh remain strong.