President Donald Trump paused the operation to assist commercial ships through the Strait of Hormuz just hours after it was announced because key Gulf allies withdrew their support.
According to two US officials speaking with NBC News, Saudi Arabia informed the US that it could not use its military bases or airspace for the operation to open the Strait of Hormuz, dubbed “Project Freedom.” Ryan Grim additionally reported speaking with an administration official who said that Kuwait took similar steps.
Per an admin official to me, Kuwait also cut off access, basing and overflight (ABO). https://t.co/Wz8S4RRH6D
— Ryan Grim (@ryangrim) May 7, 2026
Trump announced Project Freedom on Sunday and paused the operation on Tuesday. The attempt to reopen the Strait caused chaos in the Gulf on Monday. The US claimed to destroy Iranian fast attack boats. Iran reportedly targeted multiple cargo ships and an energy facility in the UAE. Additionally, Iran fired warning shots at an American warship.
One problem Gulf states faced was a lack of information from Washington. Oman reported learning of Project Freedom through Trump’s public announcement.
The Strait of Hormuz became a major issue for the US after it started an aggressive war against Iran. The Strait was seized by Iran after the initial US and Israeli strikes. Tehran has barred ships tied to the US and its allies from exiting the Persian Gulf, and allowed a small number of vessels from “friendly nations” to transit the Strait after paying a toll.
The White House did not believe Iran would have the ability to close and control the Strait before starting the war. The lack of ships exiting the Persian Gulf has caused a global energy crisis.
While Trump has claimed that he is unconcerned about reopening the Strait, Secretary of State Marco Rubio says that the US will not allow the war to end with Iran controlling the key waterway. About a fifth of global oil exports from the Persian Gulf pass through the Strait.
On Thursday, The Wall Street Journal reported that Kuwait and Saudi Arabia had lifted their restriction and Trump planned to resume Project Freedom this week.
