Earlier this month, the US Department of Defense held a conversation with Saudi Defense Minister Khalid bin Salman, who also serves as a senior advisor to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. This conversation comes amid rising Iranian attacks on US bases in the Gulf, prompting the United States to require greater access and air transit authorizations. According to several informed American and Western officials, Saudi Arabia has agreed to open King Fahd Air Base in Taif, western Saudi Arabia, to US forces.
The Taif base is considered crucial as it is farther from Iranian drone threats compared to Prince Sultan Air Base, which has suffered multiple repeated Iranian attacks. Additionally, Taif is close to Jeddah, the Red Sea port, which has become a vital logistical hub since Iran effectively asserted control over the Strait of Hormuz. According to current and former US officials, the Trump administration's readiness for a prolonged war against Iran may make Jeddah a critical point for supporting US armed forces, as thousands of ground troops are heading to the region from East Asia.
Saudi Arabia's move to expand base access reflects a change in how the kingdom and some other Gulf states respond to the US-Israeli war against Iran. This approach helps the kingdom bolster its security stance and suggests a strategic shift in regional policies.
Overall, these steps indicate that Saudi Arabia and the UAE may be on their way to providing greater support for the US-Israeli war, reflecting deep changes driven by concerns over Iran's increasing influence in the region.