Saudi's pushback for US to use bases forced Trump's U-turn on Hormuz: Report

US President Donald Trump abruptly paused “Project Freedom,” a US-led effort to help ships transit through the Strait of Hormuz, after Saudi Arabia pushed back against the operation and suspended American military access to critical airspace and bases, two US officials told NBC News.

Trump had announced the operation on social media on Sunday as a move to break Iran’s blockade in the Strait of Hormuz. However, the announcement reportedly caught key Gulf allies, including Saudi Arabia, by surprise and angered the Kingdom’s leadership. In response, Saudi Arabia informed the United States that it would not allow US military aircraft to fly from Prince Sultan Airbase near Riyadh or pass through Saudi airspace to support the operation, the officials said.

NBC News reported that a phone call between Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman failed to resolve the disagreement, forcing the US president to pause Project Freedom in order to restore access to vital regional airspace, the officials added.

Other Gulf allies were also reportedly caught off guard. Trump spoke with leaders in Qatar only after the operation had already begun. A Middle Eastern diplomat told NBC News that the United States coordinated the initiative with Oman only after Trump publicly announced it. “The US made an announcement and then coordinated with us,” the diplomat said, adding that Oman was “not upset or angry.”

A Saudi source told NBC News that Trump and the Saudi crown prince “have been in touch regularly.” The source said Saudi officials were also coordinating with Vice President JD Vance, US Central Command and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The source denied any major fallout and said developments were unfolding “quickly in real time.” Saudi Arabia also expressed support for Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts to broker an agreement between Iran and the United States to end the conflict.

A White House official maintained that “regional allies were notified in advance” about the operation.

Before the operation was paused, the US military had lined up additional ships in the Gulf to transit through the strait. US Central Command had announced that two US-flagged ships had successfully passed through the Strait of Hormuz as part of Project Freedom.

In a social media post announcing the pause, Trump said Project Freedom would remain suspended “for a short period of time” to determine whether an agreement to resolve the conflict “can be finalised and signed.”

The US military currently maintains fighter aircraft, refuelling tankers and air defence systems at Prince Sultan Airbase in Saudi Arabia. American officials stressed that military operations in the region depend heavily on cooperation from Gulf allies for “access, basing and overflight,” commonly referred to as ABO. Saudi Arabia and Jordan are critical for basing aircraft, Kuwait is important for overflight access, while Oman supports both naval logistics and overflight operations. Officials said military aircraft were essential to provide a defensive umbrella for ships participating in Project Freedom.

Trump also spoke with the Emir of Qatar after the operation began. According to a Qatari statement, both sides discussed the ceasefire agreement and the “implications for maritime security and global supply chains,” while emphasising the need for de-escalation.

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