Saudi Arabia and Kuwait lifted restrictions on the use of their bases and airspace by the US military, which had been imposed after the start of the US operation to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. According to U.S. and Saudi officials, the development removes a critical obstacle that had hampered President Trump’s efforts to ensure the passage of ships through this vital seaway.
The Trump administration is now seeking to restart the operation to guide merchant ships with naval and air support, which it had suspended after just 36 hours this week, US officials said. It’s not yet clear exactly when that will happen, though Pentagon officials have given a timeline that starts as early as this week.
The US operation to force open the strait relied on a huge fleet of aircraft to protect merchant ships from Iranian missiles and drones, making the bases and airspace of Saudi Arabia and Kuwait strategically important to its execution. But the mission caused the biggest strain in Saudi-US military relations in years, sparking a series of high-level phone calls between Trump and the Crown Prince and raising the risk of a breakdown in the longstanding security deal between Washington and Riyadh.
According to Saudi officials, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait had banned the use of their infrastructure after senior US officials played down the significance of the Iranian attacks in the Persian Gulf, characterizing them as a simple reaction to the operation in the strait. The Saudis and other Gulf states have expressed concerns that the US would not provide them with adequate protection amid the escalating conflict.
Trump had suspended the operation, called Project Freedom, on Tuesday night after a phone conversation with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. During the call, the de facto leader of Saudi Arabia expressed his concerns and informed the President of the decision to impose restrictions. Despite Trump’s efforts to persuade the Gulf leader, the President later said on social media that he had agreed to suspend the initiative at the request of Pakistan and other countries.
US forces’ access to the bases and overflight rights were eventually restored after a new phone call between the two leaders. While Saudi Arabia and Kuwait did not make official comments, the White House maintained that the Gulf allies had been informed about Project Freedom in advance, but declined to answer questions about the base negotiations.
Defense Ministry officials said that, with the resumption of operations, merchant ships would be routed through a narrow mine-cleared corridor under the constant protection of warships and aircraft. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Tuesday:
“As a direct gift of the United States to the world, we have created a powerful protective canopy—in our homeland’s colors—over the strait. American destroyers, supported by hundreds of fighter jets and drones, now provide 24-hour surveillance for peaceful navigation.”
Despite these statements, the tension remains. Iran launched missiles and drones at the United Arab Emirates, hitting the Fujairah oil hub, in response to US moves. Saudi Arabia expressed strong concern over the US stance, especially after Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Cain downplayed the Iranian attacks as “mild harassment”.
Although the US successfully repelled attacks on its own ships and sank six Iranian fast attack craft, Iran managed to hit several third-country ships. These hostilities are the first serious violations by Tehran since last month’s ceasefire. The Gulf states now fear Iran could be defiant, while Tehran warns of a “crushing response” to any action against it by the region’s monarchies.
