YANBU, Saudi Arabia: The U.S. military has been using a number of ports and air bases in the western desert of Saudi Arabia, developing basic options for use in the event of a conflict with Iran, according to the top military commander. American region.
The use of the bases, which had not been previously reported, has occurred over the last year or so, as top military commanders are looking for alternatives to move troops and equipment safely in and out of the region and reduce its exposure to Iran’s ballistic missiles. .
Several thousand U.S. troops, fighter jets and other weapons have been stationed at Saudi Arabia’s Prince Sultan Air Base since 2019 to respond to Iran’s regional threats.
The troops were sent by former President Donald Trump, who cultivated close ties with Saudi leaders even after the assassination of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi at a Saudi consulate in Turkey in 2018.
The Biden administration has indicated that it plans to take a tougher approach towards Saudi Arabia, especially on human rights issues. However, the potential dangers facing Iran have continued to be an important consideration, U.S. officials said.