Khaberni - NBC News reported that US President Donald Trump backed away from a plan to reopen the Strait of Hormuz following allied responses and Saudi Arabia's prohibition of the US military from using its bases and airspace.
According to NBC News sources, Trump surprised Gulf allies by announcing the "Freedom Project" on social media one Sunday afternoon, which angered the Saudi leadership.
In response, the Kingdom informed the United States that it would not allow the US military to operate planes from the "Prince Sultan" airbase southeast of Riyadh or fly through Saudi airspace to support this effort, according to officials.
Two US officials said that a call between Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman did not resolve the issue, which led the President to suspend the "Freedom Project" to restore US military access to this vital airspace.
Other close Gulf allies were also surprised when the President spoke with leaders in Qatar after the operation had already begun.
A Saudi source told NBC that Trump and the Crown Prince "were in regular contact." He added that Saudi officials were also in touch with Trump, Vice President JD Vance, the US Central Command, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
When asked whether the announcement of the "Freedom Project" had surprised the Saudi leadership, the Saudi source said: "The problem with this assumption is that things happen quickly in real-time."
He added that Saudi Arabia was "very supportive of the diplomatic efforts" led by Pakistan to mediate an agreement between Iran and the United States to end the war.
A White House official said in a statement, when asked about the possibility of surprising some Gulf state leaders with the American effort to assist ships crossing the Strait of Hormuz: "Regional allies were informed in advance."
A Middle Eastern diplomat said that the United States did not coordinate the "Freedom Project" with the Sultanate of Oman until after Trump's announcement. He added: "The United States announced first and then coordinated with us later," noting that they "were not angry or upset."
