President Trump abruptly announced an end to his Project Freedom operation [Getty]
US President Donald Trump’s decision to pause an operation aimed at guiding ships through the Strait of Hormuz reportedly came after pressure from Gulf allies and threats to restrict US military access to regional bases, according to a report from NBC News.
The American outlet, citing US and Gulf officials, said that Saudi Arabia had warned it could deny US military aircraft the right to fly through its airspace or using Prince Sultan Airbase.
Located south of Riyadh, the base has been critical to Washington’s campaign against Iran since the US and Israel launched their war against the country on 28 February. It has also come under sustained Iranian attack, including a strike on 27 March that destroyed a US E-3 Sentry airborne warning and control system and injured several US personnel.
Following a ceasefire agreement between Washington and Tehran in April, the US has maintained a presence of fighter aircraft, refuelling tankers, and air defence systems at the Saudi base.
The US also continues to deploy two carrier strike groups in the region, alongside additional logistical support aircraft and resupplied stockpiles sent to the Middle East since the truce.
Officials who spoke to NBC said Trump’s announcement of the naval operation came as a surprise to Gulf allies, with the Saudi leadership reportedly angered by the Sunday afternoon broadcast.
Dubbed “Project Freedom”, the campaign aimed to break Iran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz by providing US military surveillance and firepower to escort vessels through the critical waterway after weeks of deadlock.
Senior national security officials spent the early part of the week briefing the press at the Pentagon and the White House, with US Central Command stating that two US-flagged ships had successfully transited the Strait.
However, just 36 hours after announcing the operation, Trump posted on Truth Social on Tuesday that it would be “paused for a short period of time” to allow space for diplomatic talks with Tehran mediated by Pakistan.
A US official said the military had already been preparing additional ships in the Gulf before the sudden halt, suggesting a rapid reversal in his decision-making.
Saudi Arabia and other US allies in the Gulf have consistently called for a negotiated end to the conflict.
Trump spoke with Gulf leaders, including Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, following the operation’s announcement. Saudi sources told NBC the two leaders “have been in touch regularly”, while the White House said regional allies had been notified in advance.
The abrupt pause has led some analysts to suggest the move was intended to boost momentum behind Islamabad-led diplomatic efforts to end the conflict.
Since then, reports indicate Washington and Tehran may be nearing a “memorandum of understanding”.
In an interview with PBS News on Wednesday, Trump said there was “a very good chance” of reaching a deal with Iran before his planned trip to China next week to meet President Xi Jinping.
