Saudi Arabia and Kuwait Lift Restrictions, US Plans to Restart Project Freedom This Week
Saudi Arabia and Kuwait have lifted restrictions on the use of their bases and airspace by the U.S. military, allowing the U.S. to plan the resumption of 'Project Freedom,' a merchant vessel escort operation in the Strait of Hormuz. This removal of restrictions eliminates an obstacle for President Trump in promoting navigation through the strategic waterway.
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- 📰 Published: May 8, 2026 at 11:58
- 🔍 Collected: May 8, 2026 at 12:32 (33 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 8, 2026 at 13:41 (1h 8m after Collected)
Central News Agency
(Washington, May 7, Comprehensive Foreign Report) According to U.S. and Saudi Arabian officials, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait have lifted restrictions on the U.S. military's use of their bases and airspace. These restrictions were imposed after the U.S. began operations to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
With the restrictions now lifted, the obstacles faced by U.S. President Trump in promoting the passage of ships through this strategic waterway have disappeared.
The Wall Street Journal reported that U.S. officials stated the Trump administration is currently seeking to restart air and sea support operations to escort merchant vessels. This operation was temporarily suspended this week, 36 hours after its launch. It is still unclear when it will specifically resume, with Pentagon officials only stating that it could be as early as this week.
The U.S.'s forceful resumption of operations in the Strait of Hormuz relies on a large fleet to protect merchant vessels from Iranian missile and drone attacks, making the bases and airspace of Saudi Arabia and Kuwait crucial for the execution of this operation.
However, this mission also sparked one of the biggest disputes in U.S.-Saudi military relations in recent years, leading to multiple high-level phone consultations between Trump and the Saudi Crown Prince, and raising the risk of a breakdown in security agreements between Washington and Riyadh.
Saudi officials stated that Saudi Arabia and Kuwait blocked the U.S. military's use of their bases and airspace because senior U.S. officials downplayed Iranian attacks in the Persian Gulf after the Strait operations began.
Officials pointed out that Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries were also concerned that the U.S. might not provide them protection as the conflict escalated.
Saudi officials said that Trump suspended the operation, named "Project Freedom," on the evening of the 5th. This followed a phone call with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the de facto leader of Saudi Arabia, who expressed concerns and informed Trump of the decision to restrict the use of bases and airspace.
Officials revealed that Trump attempted to persuade the Gulf leader to withdraw the restrictions at the time but was unsuccessful. Trump later claimed on social media that he agreed to suspend the plan at the request of Pakistan and other countries. (Compiler: Chen Yuting) 1150508
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(Washington, May 7, Comprehensive Foreign Report) According to U.S. and Saudi Arabian officials, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait have lifted restrictions on the U.S. military's use of their bases and airspace. These restrictions were imposed after the U.S. began operations to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
With the restrictions now lifted, the obstacles faced by U.S. President Trump in promoting the passage of ships through this strategic waterway have disappeared.
The Wall Street Journal reported that U.S. officials stated the Trump administration is currently seeking to restart air and sea support operations to escort merchant vessels. This operation was temporarily suspended this week, 36 hours after its launch. It is still unclear when it will specifically resume, with Pentagon officials only stating that it could be as early as this week.
The U.S.'s forceful resumption of operations in the Strait of Hormuz relies on a large fleet to protect merchant vessels from Iranian missile and drone attacks, making the bases and airspace of Saudi Arabia and Kuwait crucial for the execution of this operation.
However, this mission also sparked one of the biggest disputes in U.S.-Saudi military relations in recent years, leading to multiple high-level phone consultations between Trump and the Saudi Crown Prince, and raising the risk of a breakdown in security agreements between Washington and Riyadh.
Saudi officials stated that Saudi Arabia and Kuwait blocked the U.S. military's use of their bases and airspace because senior U.S. officials downplayed Iranian attacks in the Persian Gulf after the Strait operations began.
Officials pointed out that Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries were also concerned that the U.S. might not provide them protection as the conflict escalated.
Saudi officials said that Trump suspended the operation, named "Project Freedom," on the evening of the 5th. This followed a phone call with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the de facto leader of Saudi Arabia, who expressed concerns and informed Trump of the decision to restrict the use of bases and airspace.
Officials revealed that Trump attempted to persuade the Gulf leader to withdraw the restrictions at the time but was unsuccessful. Trump later claimed on social media that he agreed to suspend the plan at the request of Pakistan and other countries. (Compiler: Chen Yuting) 1150508
Choose to stand with facts, every sponsorship you make is a force to protect press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency's "First-hand News" APP to stay updated with the latest news.
The text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and used without authorization.