The Hormuz transit operation, “Project Freedom,” announced on Sunday, took the Saudis and the Gulf states by surprise, NBC News reported from U.S. officials. Trump then spoke with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in an attempt to resolve the situation, but to no avail—the Saudis refused airspace for U.S. aircraft for the operation and suspended U.S. access to Prince Sultan Airbase. Ryan Grim of Drop Site News cited a U.S. administration official who confirmed that Kuwait had also cut off access, basing, and overflight. These developments are said to have been a factor in Washington pulling the plug on the operation so quickly.
A White House spokesperson claimed that “regional allies were notified in advance,” though a Middle Eastern diplomat quoted by NBC said the U.S. didn’t coordinate with Oman until after Trump’s announcement. “The U.S. made an announcement and then coordinated with us,” the diplomat said.
