Saudi Arabia and Kuwait lift US military base and airspace restrictions
Updated
Updated · The Wall Street Journal · May 7
Saudi Arabia and Kuwait lift US military base and airspace restrictions
6 articles · Updated · The Wall Street Journal · May 7
The move followed calls between President Donald Trump and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, after Project Freedom was paused within 36 hours of starting.
US officials now aim to restart naval escorts for commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, possibly this week, using a mine-cleared corridor protected by warships and aircraft.
The restrictions had exposed a rare Saudi-US military rift after Iranian missile and drone attacks hit ships and the UAE's Fujairah oil hub during the operation.
With a fragile ceasefire active, why is the U.S. restarting a military operation that risks derailing peace talks?
Will military escorts be enough to reverse the historic oil supply shock and lower crippling global energy prices?
Project Freedom and the Fragile Reopening of the Strait of Hormuz: U.S. Strategy and Gulf Alliances in 2026
Overview
In early May 2026, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait lifted restrictions on U.S. military operations, enabling the U.S. to resume efforts to secure the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz. This reversal followed Iran's blockade of the strait and retaliatory attacks on Gulf states after U.S.-Israel strikes killed Iran's Supreme Leader. Facing escalating threats, Gulf states concluded that U.S. military presence was essential and secured commitments from Washington. Meanwhile, the U.S. launched Project Freedom to reopen the strait, but ongoing Iranian attacks and a dispersed U.S. military posture complicated operations, leading to a pause in early May amid fragile ceasefire talks brokered by Pakistan and China. The blockade has caused a historic global energy disruption, intensifying geopolitical tensions and reshaping regional alliances.