President Donald Trump has paused a U.S. military operation intended to help commercial ships move through the Strait of Hormuz, after Gulf allies pushed back on the plan and Saudi Arabia refused to allow American forces to use its bases or airspace, according to U.S. officials.
The reversal came shortly after Trump announced the initiative, known as “Project Freedom,” in a social media post Sunday afternoon. The announcement surprised several regional partners. In response, Saudi officials told the United States that American aircraft would not be allowed to operate from Prince Sultan Airbase or fly through Saudi airspace in support of the mission, two U.S. officials told NBC News.
A subsequent phone call between Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman did not resolve the dispute. The White House then paused the operation while U.S. officials attempted to regain the military permissions needed to carry it out.
The U.S. military had already begun moving additional vessels into the Gulf. Officials said two American-flagged ships successfully passed through the strait under the operation’s protection before the mission was suspended roughly 36 hours after it began. National security officials had promoted the effort earlier in the week at both the Pentagon and the White House.
“Because of geography, you need cooperation from regional partners to utilize their airspace along their borders,” one U.S. official explained.
Without access, basing, and overflight rights — known internally as ABO — from key countries such as Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Kuwait, and Oman, U.S. aircraft could not effectively provide the defensive cover needed to protect commercial shipping.
A Saudi source confirmed that Riyadh has remained in communication with senior U.S. officials, including Trump, Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and U.S. Central Command. The source rejected the suggestion that Saudi leaders had been blindsided, saying that “things are happening quickly in real time” and emphasizing Saudi Arabia’s support for diplomatic efforts led by Pakistan to end the conflict with Iran.
Asked whether Gulf allies were caught off guard, a White House official said that “Regional allies were notified in advance.”
A Middle Eastern diplomat representing Oman said coordination with the United States occurred after Trump’s public announcement, but added that his government was “not upset or angry.”
Trump announced the pause in a social media post, saying Project Freedom would be suspended “for a short period of time to see whether or not” a broader agreement to end the war “can be finalized and signed.”
The operation was designed as a limited maritime security mission, separate from the broader U.S. bombing campaign against Iran, which began Feb. 28 under the code name “Epic Fury.”
Iran is reviewing a new U.S. peace proposal mediated through Pakistan, according to Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei. Trump expressed optimism Wednesday, telling reporters there had been “very good talks over the last 24 hours” and saying from the Oval Office that “They want to make a deal.”
The pause comes as the administration faces growing political pressure ahead of November’s midterm elections. Some Trump allies have urged him to continue military action and move more aggressively against Iran’s remaining conventional forces.
