Saudi denies US access to bases; forcing Trump to stop Project Freedom: NBC News
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US President Donald Trump suspended "Project Freedom," a short-lived US military initiative aimed at escorting commercial vessels through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, after pressure from Gulf allies, according to NBC News citing sources.
The decision, announced on Tuesday, followed significant opposition from key Gulf allies, particularly Saudi Arabia, which restricted American access to critical bases and airspace.
Trump announced the operation via social media on Sunday, surprising regional partners and angering Saudi leadership, the report continues.
The plan sought to guide stranded ships through the waterway, which Iran had effectively restricted amid ongoing tensions and a fragile ceasefire. The United States maintains a blockade on Iranian ports while pursuing diplomatic progress.
In response, Saudi Arabia informed US officials that American military aircraft would not be permitted to operate from Prince Sultan Airbase, southeast of Riyadh, or transit Saudi airspace in support of the mission, the sources said to NBC News.
A subsequent telephone conversation between President Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman failed to resolve the impasse.
“The problem with that premise is that things are happening quickly in real time,” a Saudi source said when asked whether “Project Freedom” caught the Gulf kingdom by surprise.
Saudi Arabia was “very supportive of the diplomatic efforts” by Pakistan to broker a deal between Iran and the US, the source adds.
Facing the loss of essential regional access, the Trump administration chose to pause Project Freedom.
The reversal occurred roughly 36 to 48 hours after the operation's launch. Reports indicate that only a limited number of vessels successfully transited under US escort during this brief period. Other Gulf allies were also reportedly caught off guard by the unilateral announcement.
In his Truth Social post announcing the pause, Trump cited requests from Pakistan and other nations, recent military successes against Iran, and advancing negotiations toward a comprehensive agreement.
He emphasized that the US blockade on Iranian ports would remain in effect during the temporary halt.
