Trump suspended operation to guide ships through Hormuz after backlash from Gulf allies: Report

WASHINGTON, DC: The Trump administration's announcement to temporarily halt its initiative to guide ships through the Strait of Hormuz reportedly came after an angered response from the Arab allies over "Project Freedom."

The NBC News' report, which quoted two US officials as the source, came after President Donald Trump said he had paused his mission to guide vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, initiated on humanitarian grounds.

Saudi Arabia reportedly suspended the US' ability to use its bases and airspace to carry out project

Two Navy officials told NBC News that the Trump administration abruptly took a U-turn on "Project Freedom," launched to help bystander vessels through the strait, shortly after it was launched, because its Arab allies didn’t like the move.

The officials revealed that the operation was paused because Saudi Arabia did not allow the US military aircraft to use the Prince Sultan Airbase or fly through Saudi Arabian airspace while conducting “Project Freedom.”

A telephonic conversation was held between President Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to resolve the issue, but it failed to yield a positive and desired result. The move resulted in Trump announcing a pause on the project. The report also suggested that Qatar, too, was against "Project Freedom."

A Saudi source told the outlet that Trump and bin Salman “have been in touch regularly.” It also revealed that Saudi officials were in touch with Vice President JD Vance, US Central Command, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

“The problem with that premise is that things are happening quickly in real time,” the Saudi source told NBC News when asked whether Trump’s initial announcement caught Saudi leaders by surprise.

Trump halts 'Project Freedom' shortly after it began

On Tuesday, May 5, Trump announced the pause, clarifying that it would last for a “short period of time.”

“Based on the request of Pakistan and other Countries, the tremendous Military Success that we have had during the Campaign against the Country of Iran and, additionally, the fact that Great Progress has been made toward a Complete and Final Agreement with Representatives of Iran, we have mutually agreed that, while the Blockade will remain in full force and effect, Project Freedom (The Movement of Ships through the Strait of Hormuz) will be paused for a short period of time to see whether or not the Agreement can be finalized and signed,” the president wrote.

The suspension announcement came a day after it began on Monday.

On Sunday, the commander-in-chief announced that the US Navy would help guide the vessels of neutral and innocent parties stranded in passage through the Strait of Hormuz.

"Project Freedom" was meant to free up ships hailing "from areas of the World that are not in any way involved with that which is currently taking place in the Middle East."  

"The Ship movement is merely meant to free up people, companies, and Countries that have done absolutely nothing wrong — They are victims of circumstance. This is a Humanitarian gesture on behalf of the United States, Middle Eastern Countries but, in particular, the Country of Iran," Trump wrote.