US reportedly mulls pulling troops from Saudi Arabia as ties sour over Iran war
The US is reportedly considering withdrawing troops from Saudi Arabia as relations deteriorate between the two countries, partly due to disagreements over the conflict with Iran.
Background
- The US has maintained a military presence in Saudi Arabia since the 1990 Gulf War, including air bases and missile defense systems. Troop levels fluctuated but increased after the 2019 attacks on Saudi oil facilities, which the US and Saudi Arabia blamed on Iran.
- This report suggests the Biden administration may withdraw forces as relations deteriorate with the Saudi government, which is reportedly frustrated with US policy on Iran. Saudi Arabia and Iran are regional rivals; Saudi Arabia leads a military coalition in Yemen against Iran-backed Houthi rebels.
- A withdrawal would mark a significant shift in the US-Saudi alliance, which has been a cornerstone of Middle East policy for decades — centered on US security guarantees in exchange for stable oil production and Saudi cooperation on counterterrorism.
- The "Iran war" referenced is not a declared war but an ongoing shadow conflict involving proxy militias, cyberattacks, nuclear negotiations, and periodic military strikes between Iran and US-aligned Gulf states.