Trump administration eyes restart of Project Freedom after Gulf allies lift restrictions
Updated
Updated · CNBC · May 7
Trump administration eyes restart of Project Freedom after Gulf allies lift restrictions
5 articles · Updated · CNBC · May 7
The Wall Street Journal said Saudi Arabia and Kuwait restored US base and airspace access, allowing the operation to resume within days after Trump paused it on Tuesday.
Project Freedom was launched on Monday to escort stranded commercial ships from the Persian Gulf as the Strait of Hormuz remained choked by the more than two-month war.
Iran said it is reviewing US messages sent via Pakistani mediators, while officials warned any reopening plan must bring tangible benefits; markets swung as hopes for a deal stayed uncertain.
Is the U.S. plan to restart naval escorts a path to peace or a trigger for a wider war?
Are Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states charting a new security course independent of American military power?
As China plays both mediator and backer to Iran, what is its ultimate endgame for the Middle East?
Gulf Allies’ Access Restored as Project Freedom Aims to Break Iran’s Strait of Hormuz Blockade
Overview
In early May 2026, Iran's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz disrupted 20% of global oil shipments, causing a sharp rise in energy prices and economic strain, especially in Asian economies. In response, the U.S. launched Project Freedom to secure the vital waterway, but Saudi Arabia and Kuwait initially suspended U.S. military access due to fears of Iranian retaliation and lack of consultation, forcing a pause of the operation. After direct talks between President Trump and Saudi leadership, access was restored, allowing the U.S. to consider restarting the mission. This military buildup raises risks of escalation amid ongoing Pakistan-mediated diplomatic talks aimed at a ceasefire contingent on reopening the Strait, highlighting a fragile balance between force and diplomacy.