Amid intelligence reports of possible Iranian attacks on targets in Saudi Arabia, the U.S. deployed warplanes towards Iran.

Such a step helps to increase the overall alert status of U.S. and Saudi forces, according to the Washington Post.

The deployment happened while there were intelligence reports about the possible use of ballistic missiles and drones by Iran.

It is emphasized that such activity by the U.S. forces in the region proves the importance of the partnership between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia despite the controversy between the two states related to oil production.

The oil disagreements regarded OPEC decision to cut production by 2 million barrels a day. The White House believed that this would trigger higher prices and would be be beneficial for Russia.

Washington also stated that such cuts happened at the moment the United States and its allies were trying to choke off Moscow’s oil revenues.

The Washington Post emphasizes that oil, and Saudi Arabia’s influence on the global market, hold second place, following the U.S. strategic interests in the Persian Gulf. The kingdom plays a central role in countering Iranian aggression.

Washington does not discuss the details of the operation to overturn the planes.

The United States maintains significant air forces in the region, including F-22 fighter jets in Saudi Arabia. However, the location from which they got off the ground remained unknown.

U.S. Central Command spokesman Joe Buccio said the U.S. is committed to a multi-year strategic military partnership with Saudi Arabia, but declined to comment on the matter.

“We will not discuss the details of the operation,” Buccio said.

There are about 2,500 U.S. forces now in Saudi Arabia, many of them involved in high-tech intelligence work and training.

The United States is the supplier of nearly three-quarters of all weapons systems used by the Saudi military, including constantly needed parts, repairs and upgrades.

As previously reported, Iran acknowledges the supply of drones to Russia, but allegedly it was even before the invasion of the Russian Federation into Ukraine.