"U.S. Hormuz Operation Could Resume This Week... Additional Call Between Bin Salman and Trump"

WSJ Cites U.S. Government Officials
Saudi Arabia and Kuwait Restore Access to Bases and Airspace
Concerns Raised Over Downplaying of Iran’s Attacks on UAE

According to reports from U.S. foreign media, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait have lifted their restrictions on the use of U.S. military bases and airspace, which had been imposed following the U.S. operation to keep the Strait of Hormuz open, known as "Project Freedom." The Trump Administration’s convoy protection mission for merchant ships in the Strait of Hormuz, which was temporarily suspended on May 5 (local time), is also expected to resume as early as this week.

U.S. President Donald Trump (right) and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman held a dinner event at the White House on November 18 last year (local time). Photo by Reuters Yonhap News

On May 7, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ), citing U.S. government officials, reported that U.S. and Saudi officials announced Saudi Arabia and Kuwait have lifted the restrictions on the use of U.S. military bases and airspace. U.S. authorities also stated they are considering resuming the temporarily suspended convoy protection mission. According to Department of Defense officials, the mission could resume as early as this week.

Previously, NBC News, citing U.S. officials, reported that the abrupt suspension of Project Freedom by President Donald Trump was met with backlash from Gulf allies such as Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia had notified the U.S. that it would not allow U.S. aircraft to use its airspace. Although the White House later stated that Gulf allies were informed in advance before the U.S. launched Project Freedom, the Middle Eastern diplomat quoted by NBC News said that Oman was only coordinated with after the U.S. officially announced the suspension of the project.

The U.S. operation to keep the Strait of Hormuz open involves deploying large-scale air power to protect merchant vessels from Iranian missile and drone attacks. Therefore, access to Saudi and Kuwaiti bases and airspace is essential for the operation’s execution.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is reported to have communicated the Gulf countries’ position to President Trump during a call on May 5. Following this, the U.S. government temporarily suspended Project Freedom. Subsequent calls between the two leaders led to the restoration of U.S. access to Saudi bases and airspace.

The Wall Street Journal reported that the Gulf allies’ backlash was driven by a combination of concerns. According to Saudi officials, both Saudi Arabia and Kuwait blocked the use of U.S. military bases and airspace because senior U.S. officials downplayed Iranian attacks on Gulf countries in response to the Hormuz operation. Gulf countries were also reportedly concerned that the U.S. might not provide sufficient protection should the conflict escalate.

Indeed, in response to the U.S. effort to keep the Strait open, Iran launched missile and drone attacks toward the United Arab Emirates (UAE), causing damage to Fujairah, a major oil export hub in the UAE. When U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman General Dan Kane described the Iranian attacks as "low-level harassment," Saudi Arabia reportedly grew increasingly concerned that the U.S. might not respond firmly to further attacks. Although Iran denied attacking the UAE, it warned that it would take "destructive action" if any moves targeting Iran were launched from Gulf state territories.

According to defense officials, if Project Freedom resumes, merchant ships cooperating with the U.S. will travel under U.S. military protection along narrow channels cleared of mines. U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth stated earlier this week, "The United States has established a powerful Stars and Stripes dome over the Strait," adding, "U.S. destroyers, hundreds of fighter jets, helicopters, drones, and reconnaissance aircraft are providing round-the-clock protection for peaceful merchant ships."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.