Saudi Arabia denied US access to bases, airspace for Hormuz operation: NBC News
The decision came after Saudi Arabia restricted the US military’s ability to use critical bases and airspace to support the operation, according to two US officials cited by NBC News.
US President Donald Trump has suspended "Project Freedom," a short-lived US military initiative aimed at escorting commercial vessels through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, after Saudi Arabia reportedly denied the US military access to key bases and airspace following backlash from Gulf allies, NBC News reported citing sources.
The decision came after Saudi Arabia restricted the US military's ability to use critical bases and airspace to support the operation, according to two US officials cited by NBC News.
Trump announced the operation on social media on Sunday, surprising Gulf allies and reportedly angering Saudi leadership. The initiative aimed to help stranded ships transit through the Strait of Hormuz, where Iran had effectively imposed restrictions amid ongoing tensions and a fragile ceasefire.
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In response, Saudi Arabia informed Washington that US military aircraft would not be allowed to operate from Prince Sultan Airbase southeast of Riyadh or fly through Saudi airspace in support of the mission, the report said.
A subsequent phone call between Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman failed to resolve the dispute, forcing the US administration to pause the operation in order to restore access to critical regional airspace.
"The problem with that premise is that things are happening quickly in real time," a Saudi source told NBC News when asked whether the kingdom had been caught off guard by the announcement. The source added that Saudi Arabia was "very supportive of the diplomatic efforts" by Pakistan to broker a deal between Iran and the US.
Other Gulf allies were also reportedly surprised by the unilateral announcement. According to NBC News, Trump spoke with leaders in Qatar only after the operation had already begun.
The reversal came roughly 36 to 48 hours after the operation started. During that period, only a limited number of vessels reportedly transited the strait under US escort. US Central Command earlier said two US-flagged ships had successfully passed through the waterway as part of the mission.
The US military continues to maintain a significant presence in and around the Gulf, including two carrier strike groups, fighter aircraft, refuelling tankers and air defence systems.
