Saudi officials had warned Washington before the conflict that efforts to topple Iran’s government could prompt Tehran to close the Strait of Hormuz.By Vered Weiss, World Israel NewsSaudi Arabia refused to allow the United States to use its military bases and airspace for “Operation Liberty” during last spring’s war with Iran, forcing the cancellation of the planned operation and triggering one of the most serious diplomatic disputes between Washington and Riyadh in decades, The Wall Street Journal reported.According to the report, more than 100 U.S. fighter jets were prepared to launch from bases and aircraft carriers across the Middle East when Saudi Arabia denied access to its territory.U.S. officials told the newspaper the decision forced President Donald Trump’s administration to abandon the operation shortly after it had been announced.The report said Saudi officials had warned Washington before the conflict that efforts to topple Iran’s government could prompt Tehran to close the Strait of Hormuz, disrupt global energy markets and target Gulf oil infrastructure.Despite those warnings, the United States entered the conflict alongside Israel.Iran later launched missile and drone attacks that reportedly damaged Gulf energy facilities, including the Saudi oil complex at Ras Tanura.According to The Wall Street Journal, the attacks prompted Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to pursue efforts to reduce tensions with Tehran through Pakistani mediation and to withhold Saudi participation in the U.S. operation over concerns that further escalation would expose the kingdom to additional attacks.The newspaper reported that the Saudi decision angered officials in Washington, as well as in Israel and the United Arab Emirates.The White House reportedly responded by threatening to suspend deliveries of missile interceptors that Saudi Arabia needed for air defense.The diplomatic dispute extended beyond military cooperation.The report said Secretary of State Marco Rubio omitted Saudi Arabia from a recent regional tour that included the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Bahrain, a move Saudi officials reportedly viewed as a diplomatic slight.The report also said Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman declined an invitation to attend the G7 summit in France.The post Saudi Arabia reportedly blocked U.S. military operation, triggering rift with Washington appeared first on World Israel News.