Report: Saudi Arabia is pressuring the US to reopen the Strait of Hormuz

President Donald Trump has shelved a plan to reopen the Strait of Hormuz after Saudi Arabia blocked the US military from using its bases and airspace, NBC News reported. The reversal came after the president’s unilateral announcement of a “Freedom Project” on social media on Sunday caught Gulf allies off guard and infuriated the Saudi leadership.

In response, Riyadh informed Washington it would not permit US aircraft to operate from Prince Sultan Air Base, southeast of the capital, or to fly through Saudi airspace in support of the effort, according to officials. A phone call between Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman failed to resolve the dispute, two US officials said, prompting the president to suspend the project in order to restore the US military’s access to the vital airspace.

Allies caught off guard

Other close Gulf allies were also taken by surprise, as the president had already begun speaking with leaders in Qatar after the operation was underway. The abrupt move has strained relations with key partners in the region.