US President Donald Trump’s ambitious ‘Project Freedom’ operation in the Strait of Hormuz appears to have run into an early roadblock after Saudi Arabia reportedly refused to allow US aircraft linked to the mission to use its airbase or airspace, according to an NBC News report citing American officials.
The development comes at a sensitive moment in the Gulf, where tensions involving Iran, US naval deployments and commercial shipping routes have sharply escalated. While Washington has publicly framed the operation as an effort to protect global trade routes, regional reactions suggest key Gulf allies were not fully aligned with the plan before it was announced.
According to NBC News, Trump personally spoke with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman but failed to secure approval for American aircraft to use Prince Sultan Airbase, located southeast of Riyadh, or transit through Saudi airspace for the naval mission.
The report further stated that Saudi Arabia and several Gulf nations were caught off guard by Trump’s public announcement of ‘Project Freedom’ on Sunday.
Asked whether Saudi leadership had been surprised by the announcement, a Saudi source quoted by NBC News said, “The problem with that premise is that things are happening quickly in real time.”
The same source added that Riyadh remained “very supportive of the diplomatic efforts” being led by Pakistan to help broker a possible agreement between Washington and Tehran.
A White House official, however, told NBC News that “regional allies were notified in advance” before the operation was made public.
What is Trump’s ‘Project Freedom’?
Trump had announced ‘Project Freedom’ earlier this week as a US-backed initiative to assist commercial ships stranded or facing risks in the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz amid rising Gulf tensions.
In a Truth Social post on Tuesday, Trump said the operation would be “paused for a short period of time” while diplomatic negotiations with Iran continued.
“Based on the request of Pakistan and other Countries… we have mutually agreed that… Project Freedom… will be paused for a short period of time to see whether or not the Agreement can be finalised and signed,” Trump wrote.
The US President also claimed the move followed what he described as “tremendous Military Success” against Iran and progress towards a “Complete and Final Agreement” with Iranian representatives.
Before the pause was announced, US Central Command had said the operation would involve guided-missile destroyers, more than 100 aircraft, unmanned platforms and nearly 15,000 service personnel to support merchant vessels moving through the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran offers maritime support to commercial ships
A day after Trump announced the temporary halt, Iran’s Ports and Maritime Organisation said it was prepared to provide maritime, technical and medical support to commercial vessels operating near Iranian waters in the Strait of Hormuz.
According to Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency, the advisory was issued to improve maritime safety, vessel seaworthiness and crew welfare.
The organisation said ships would be able to access fuel supplies, medical services, provisions and authorised repair materials if needed.
Iranian authorities also said the advisory would be broadcast three times daily for three consecutive days through maritime communication networks and VHF systems across the region.
The maritime body added that vessels could contact Vessel Traffic Service centres at nearby Iranian ports through VHF channel 16 to communicate operational requirements.
Questions grow over regional coordination
The NBC News report also cited a West Asian diplomat who claimed the US coordinated only with Oman after Trump publicly unveiled the operation.
“The US made an announcement and then coordinated with us,” the diplomat reportedly said, while adding that Oman was “not upset or angry.”
The reported lack of prior coordination with some Gulf allies may raise fresh questions about regional consensus around Washington’s strategy in one of the world’s busiest and most strategically sensitive shipping corridors.