Saudi Arabia and Kuwait Lift Restrictions, US Plans to Resume Project Freedom This Week

(Central News Agency, Washington, 7th comprehensive foreign report) According to US and Saudi Arabian officials, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait have lifted restrictions on the US military's use of their bases and airspace. These restrictions were implemented after the US initiated operations to restart the Strait of Hormuz.

Now that the restrictions have been lifted, the obstacles faced by US President Trump in promoting the passage of ships through this strategic waterway have disappeared.

The Wall Street Journal reported that US officials stated the Trump administration is currently seeking to resume air and sea support operations to escort merchant ships. This operation was previously suspended 36 hours after its launch this week. It is currently unclear when exactly it will resume, with Pentagon officials only stating that it might be as early as this week.

The US's forceful resumption of operations in the Strait of Hormuz relies on a large fleet to protect merchant ships from Iranian missile and drone attacks. Therefore, the bases and airspace of Saudi Arabia and Kuwait are crucial for the execution of this operation.

However, this mission has also caused one of the biggest disputes in US-Saudi military relations in recent years, prompting multiple high-level phone consultations between Trump and 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 US military from using their bases and airspace because senior US officials downplayed Iranian attacks in the Persian Gulf after the Strait operation began.

Officials pointed out that Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries are also concerned that the US might not provide them protection as the conflict escalates.

Saudi officials stated that Trump suspended the operation named "Project Freedom" on the evening of the 5th. Before this, he had spoken with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the de facto leader of Saudi Arabia, who expressed concerns and informed Trump about 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 project at the request of Pakistan and other countries. (Compiled by: Chen Yuting) 1150508

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