sentences:  The oil installations were rebuilt and protected by the U.S., the pilgrims' routes were protected (Wafa, 2005), and the U.S. gained a much needed direct route for military aircraft heading to Iran and the Soviet Union.The first American consulate was opened in Dhahran in 1944.In 1945, after World War II, Saudi citizens began to feel uncomfortable with U.S. forces still operating in Dhahran.