Saudi Arabia bars US from utilizing airspace or bases for potential Iran strike

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As President Donald Trump weighs his choices on a doable army strike on Iran, a senior Gulf official advised Fox Information that Saudi Arabia won't permit the U.S. to make use of its airspace or bases for such an assault.

A high-ranking authorities determine from a Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) state advised Fox Information that the "U.S. hasn’t shared goals or plans" regarding Iran with Gulf allies regardless of latest high-level Saudi conferences in Washington aimed toward gaining readability.

"We stated this as associates, [we] need to be certain they perceive our place and our evaluation basically – and we need to perceive the U.S. evaluation with as a lot readability as doable," the senior official stated, including, "I’d prefer to get full readability, and we didn't get there."

Relating to U.S. military movements for a strike on Iran, the official stated, "The plan is one thing aside from utilizing Saudi airspace."

TRUMP SAYS IRAN ALREADY HAS US TERMS AS MILITARY STRIKE CLOCK TICKS

U.S. President Donald Trump walks with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman throughout an official state arrival ceremony on the Saudi Royal Court docket on Might 13, 2025, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (Win McNamee/Getty Photos)

They stated the U.S. is welcome in Saudi Arabia , particularly concerning Operation Inherent Resolve, the continuing U.S.-led marketing campaign in opposition to ISIS. But, the Saudi place now's "constant" with what it was in the course of the 12-day battle between Israel and Iran in April 2024, the official stated.

"Saudi Arabia wouldn’t permit airspace for use to focus on Israel, Houthis, Iran – the place is identical now. Saudi Arabia wouldn’t permit airspace for use in a conflict Saudi Arabia is just not part of," the official stated.

Trump stated Friday that the USA has instantly communicated expectations to Iran as strain mounts for Tehran to simply accept a nuclear deal, at the same time as Iranian officers publicly sign curiosity in talks.

Requested whether or not Iran faces a deadline to make a deal, Trump recommended the timeline had been conveyed privately.

"Solely they know for certain," he stated, confirming when pressed that the message had been delivered on to Iranian leaders.

Trump additionally tied the rising U.S. naval presence within the area explicitly to Iran, saying American warships "need to float someplace" and "may as properly float close to Iran" as Washington weighs its subsequent steps.

AS IRAN WEAKENS, QUESTIONS GROW OVER MOHAMMED BIN SALMAN’S REGIONAL AMBITIONS

The state tax constructing burned throughout Iran's protests, on a avenue in Tehran, Iran, Jan. 19, 2026. (Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia Information Company) by way of Reuters)

Regardless of the president’s phrases that Iran needs to make a deal, the official cautioned that "Iran at all times needs to make a deal, however the query is, what sort of deal? Is it acceptable to the U.S.?"

"We don’t see it coming collectively at this second," the official stated, whereas additionally noting that "everyone is aware of the U.S. is bringing capabilities to the area basically – to deal not with regardless of the plan is, however no matter ramification of the plan is."

Relating to the success of future U.S. actions in Iran, the official stated, "There's at all times an issue whether or not making a decision or don’t, there’s a steadiness of … future within the Center East. We advise the US on a greater end result on the finish, utilizing all means, together with diplomatic means, and advise Iranians too … we perceive that we’re all on this, the U.S., Iran, and others, and we hope for higher outcomes."

The official stated that within the Gulf allies’ evaluation, the Trump administration’s strikes on Iran’s nuclear property closely degraded their capabilities in order that they're "not in the identical scenario as earlier than."

TRUMP SAYS IRAN CALLED 'NUMEROUS' TIMES TO MAKE DEAL AS CARRIER ENTERS MIDDLE EAST WATERS

U.S. President Donald Trump poses for a household image with Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman and different attendees in the course of the U.S.-Saudi Funding Discussion board in Washington, D.C., U.S., Nov. 19, 2025. (Evelyn Hockstein/Reuters)

That being stated, they consider an "off ramp could possibly be reached by Iranians doing the best factor."

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"We would like a affluent nation that helps their folks, that’s what we predict we must always all be doing – Iran has actual financial potential, vitality, plenty of expertise in Iran and particularly overseas who dwell in different international locations, challenges they face - there’s a option to get out of it and Iran could possibly be a really constructive actor within the area and vital actor within the area. I hope that they get there as a result of the Iranian folks deserve loads."

General, the official stated that although the U.S. has not shared its goals or plans, they stated, "I hope that end result is for a extra steady Center East, extra affluent."