Trump Administration Shuts Project Freedom Within 48 Hours After Saudi Arabia Bars Airspace
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Jul 1
Trump Administration Shuts Project Freedom Within 48 Hours After Saudi Arabia Bars Airspace
3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jul 1
Summary
Less than 48 hours after launch, the Trump administration scrapped Project Freedom, a U.S. mission meant to help guide commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz during a tentative cease-fire.
Saudi Arabia blocked U.S. use of its airspace for the operation, catching Central Command off guard because Washington had not consulted Riyadh before announcing the plan.
May 4 calls between Trump and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, followed by contacts from JD Vance, Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner and Marco Rubio, failed to change the Saudi position.
The crown prince held firm because he feared the U.S. operation could reignite the Iran war, exposing a sharp clash between Washington and a key Gulf partner.