It's no secret that America's Gulf allies bore the brunt of Iran's military retaliation in the wake of Operation Epic Fury. Now there are reports of Washington being brushed back when it comes to ongoing base access in the region.
President Trump abruptly halted plans to support commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz after Saudi Arabia suspended US military access to its bases and airspace for the operation, two US officials told NBC. Kuwait is reported to have imposed similar restrictions in wake of being on the receiving end of Iranian missiles.
According to the officials, Trump caught Gulf allies off guard when he announced Project Freedom on Truth Social, triggering anger in Riyadh. Saudi Arabia is said to have responded by informing Washington that US forces would not be permitted to operate aircraft from Prince Sultan Air Base southeast of Riyadh or transit Saudi airspace in support of the mission.
Other Gulf allies were also reportedly surprised by the development, with Drop Site News also reporting Kuwait has made a similar move to cut or restrict base access. According to more details from the NBC report:
In response, the Kingdom informed the U.S. it would not allow the U.S. military to fly aircraft from Prince Sultan Airbase southeast of Riyadh or fly through Saudi airspace to support the effort, the officials said.
A call between Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman did not resolve the issue, the two U.S. officials said, forcing the president to pause Project Freedom in order to restore U.S. military access to the critical airspace.
But here is how Trump framed the pause at the time in a Truth Social post: "Based on the request of Pakistan and other Countries, the tremendous Military Success that we have had during the Campaign against the Country of Iran and, additionally"... and he also said it was necessary "to see whether or not the Agreement can be finalized and signed."
By the following day it became clear that the two sides were no closer to getting to the negotiating table, much less actually inking an agreement to end the war.
The White House is meanwhile denying the main content of the NBC report, with one official insisting that "regional allies were briefed in advance."
Washington seemed genuinely shocked and surprised at the level of retaliation Iran unleashed on the region. Tehran has said it went after American bases in the Gulf, and as punishment for the countries hosting them. The response involved weeks of literally hundreds if not thousands of missiles and drones being launched. These hit oil, gas, and energy infrastructure - as well as radar, airbases, and military outposts.
Follow-up reports have said that well over a dozen US regional bases were decimated and made uninhabitable - something which the Pentagon has sought to downplay or else keep totally under wraps.
The US Department of Justice is investigating a series of suspiciously timed oil market trades, focusing on at least four transactions made just before major announcements by US President Donald Trump on the war with Iran.
The DOJ and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission are probing bets totalling more than $2.6 billion placed on falling oil prices shortly before they dropped. According to data obtained by ABC News, on March 23, 15 minutes before Trump said he would delay strikes on Iran's power grid, traders wagered over $500 million on a price drop. On April 7, hours before a temporary ceasefire, $960 million was bet. On April 17, $760 million was wagered minutes before Tehran said the Strait of Hormuz was open. On April 21, $430 million followed.
https://breakingthenews.net/Article/DoJ-may-focus-on-4-bets-in-dollar2.6B-oil-trade-probe/66243407
Amazon Pharmacy will start offering Novo Nordisk's Ozempic pill for same-day delivery and pickup through kiosks.
The pill is the only FDA-approved oral GLP-1 medication used to treat type 2 diabetes, controlling blood sugar in patients. Those with a prescription can check availability, prices, and order through Amazon Pharmacy. The lowest price with insurance starts at $25 per month, and $149 for cash-paying customers. The delivery can be received at the doorstep or in an in-office kiosk.
"Amazon Pharmacy continues to provide customers expanded selection and reliable, convenient access to the latest treatments like the Ozempic pill for type 2 diabetes, helping reduce the friction that comes with accessing breakthrough medications," said Vice President and General Manager of Amazon Pharmacy, Tanvi Patel.
https://breakingthenews.net/Article/Amazon-Pharmacy-to-offer-new-Ozempic-pill/66243140
