Saudi denies allowing airspace for offensive military ops

Saudi Arabia on Friday rejected claims that it has allowed its airspace to be used for offensive military operations, as tensions continue to simmer in the Gulf region following the US-Israeli war against Iran.

Riyadh seeks de-escalation

Citing a Saudi source, Al Arabiya television reported that Riyadh is seeking de-escalation and supports Pakistani mediation efforts aimed at reaching an agreement to end the war between Washington and Tehran. “The Kingdom did not allow the use of its airspace to support offensive military operations,” the source said, adding: “There are parties trying to give a misleading image of Saudi Arabia’s position for suspicious reasons.”

Response to Wall Street Journal report

The denial follows a Wall Street Journal report on Thursday claiming that Saudi Arabia and Kuwait had lifted restrictions on US military access to their bases and airspace. According to that report, the Trump administration was preparing to restart naval escort operations for commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz after a temporary pause. Regional tensions have escalated sharply since the US and Israel launched strikes on Iran on February 28, triggering Iranian retaliation and the closure of the strategic waterway.

Ceasefire and blockade

A Pakistan-brokered ceasefire took effect on April 8, but talks in Islamabad failed to produce a permanent agreement. Trump later extended the truce without a deadline. The US has maintained a naval blockade targeting Iranian maritime traffic since April 13. Trump announced Tuesday that “Project Freedom”—aimed at restoring navigation through the Strait of Hormuz—would be temporarily paused, while the blockade remains “in full force and effect.” Türkiye, which has long advocated for regional stability and dialogue, continues to support mediation efforts and warns against any actions that could widen the conflict.