US network NBC News has reported that Saudi Arabia blocked an operation proposed by US President Donald Trump to reopen the Strait of Hormuz for ships stranded in the Gulf.
The network quoted US officials as saying that “Trump surprised Gulf allies by announcing “Project Freedom” on social media Sunday afternoon, angering leadership in Saudi Arabia.”
“In response, the Kingdom informed the US it would not allow the US military to fly aircraft from Prince Sultan Airbase southeast of Riyadh or fly through Saudi airspace to support the effort,” the officials added.
A phone call between Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman failed to resolve the dispute, forcing the US president to suspend “Project Freedom.”
Other Gulf allies close to Washington were also caught off guard by the announcement, with Trump reportedly speaking to Qatari leaders only after the operation had already begun, NBC reported.
The network also quoted a Saudi source as saying that Trump and the Crown Prince “have been in touch regularly.” The source added that Saudi officials had also communicated with Trump, Vice President JD Vance, US Central Command, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
