Saudi Arabia temporarily suspended US military access to its airspace and bases after President Donald Trump announced “Project Freedom”, a planned operation to assist ships transiting through the Strait of Hormuz, according to a report by NBC News citing US officials familiar with the matter.
The reported move prompted the Trump administration to pause the operation in an effort to restore access to strategically important Gulf airspace and military facilities.
According to the report, Kingdom officials were frustrated after Trump publicly announced the operation on social media on Sunday before holding consultations with key Gulf allies.
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In response, Riyadh reportedly informed Washington that it would not allow US aircraft involved in the operation to use Prince Sultan Air Base, located southeast of Riyadh, or transit through Saudi airspace in support of the mission.
A subsequent phone conversation between Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman reportedly failed to immediately resolve the disagreement. The report said the White House later decided to halt Project Freedom temporarily to avoid further strain on military coordination in the region.
The report added that other Gulf allies were also taken by surprise by the announcement. Qatari officials were reportedly informed only after the operation had already begun.
A Saudi source quoted by NBC News said Trump and the crown prince “have been in touch regularly”, while suggesting the fast-moving regional situation contributed to the confusion surrounding the operation.
“The problem with that premise is that things are happening quickly in real time,” the source reportedly said when asked whether Saudi leaders had been surprised by the announcement.