Trump halts naval ops as Saudi Arabia denies US access to airbase

Donald Trump paused 'Project Freedom' in the Strait of Hormuz after Saudi Arabia denied airbase access. Iran then offered support to ships. Trump cited mediation by Pakistan and progress in talks with Tehran as reasons for the temporary halt.

US Naval Operation Halted Amid Saudi Refusal

US President Donald Trump has reportedly halted a planned naval operation to escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz after Saudi Arabia refused to allow American aircraft involved in the mission to use Prince Sultan Airbase southeast of Riyadh or fly through Saudi airspace, according to NBC News.

Citing US officials, NBC News reported that Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states were caught off guard by Trump's announcement of "Project Freedom" on Sunday. The news report said that Trump called Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman but failed to secure an agreement.

Asked whether the operation had surprised Saudi leaders, a Saudi source told NBC News, "the problem with that premise is that things are happening quickly in real time." The same source added that Saudi Arabia remains "very supportive of the diplomatic efforts" led by Pakistan to help broker an agreement between the United States and Iran.

A White House official told NBC News that "regional allies were notified in advance" about the operation. However, a West Asian diplomat cited in the news report said the US only coordinated with Oman after Trump publicly announced the initiative. "The US made an announcement and then coordinated with us," the diplomat said, adding, "We were not upset or angry."

Iran Offers Support to Commercial Vessels

Meanwhile, the Ports and Maritime Organisation of Iran on Thursday announced that it is fully prepared to offer maritime, technical, and medical support services to commercial vessels operating in the strategic Strait of Hormuz and surrounding regional waters, a day after US President Donald Trump announced a temporary pause to "Project Freedom".

According to a statement issued by the maritime authority and carried by Iran's state-run IRNA, the announcement was issued to ship commanders to ensure maritime safety, improve vessel seaworthiness, and safeguard crew welfare.

The organisation said the message is being formally transmitted through maritime communication channels of Iranian ports and is intended for all vessels navigating the region, particularly those operating near Iranian territorial waters and anchorages.

According to IRNA, the maritime authority stated that ships may access a range of services, including provisions, fuel supply, medical assistance, health services, and authorised repair-related materials if required.

Emphasising its regulatory and sovereign responsibilities, the Ports and Maritime Organisation further stated that the initiative reflects Iran's commitment to ensuring safe and sustainable maritime traffic in one of the world's most strategically important waterways.

The announcement also noted that the message will be broadcast three times daily for three consecutive days via maritime communication networks and VHF systems in the region.

The advisory further instructed ship masters and owners to contact Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) centres at the nearest Iranian ports or through local representatives on VHF channel 16 to request services and communicate operational needs.

Trump Cites Diplomatic Progress for Pause

The announcement comes a day after Trump on Tuesday declared that "Project Freedom", an initiative aimed at helping the passage of commercial vessels trapped in the Strait of Hormuz amid escalating regional tensions in the Gulf, will be temporarily paused while the naval blockade of Iran's ports remains in place.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump said the decision was taken following requests from Pakistan, which has been acting as a mediator to broker a peace deal between Washington and Tehran, and other countries.

Trump further claimed that the decision also followed what he described as significant military gains during the campaign against Iran and progress toward a potential agreement with Iranian representatives. The US President further noted that the pause was announced to "see whether or not the Agreement can be finalised and signed" between Tehran and Washington.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Asianet Newsable English staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)