On May 7 local time, U.S. officials disclosed that the Trump administration is seeking to restart the Freedom Plan operation, utilizing naval and air assets to escort commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz. According to a timeline provided by Defense Department officials, the operation could resume as early as this week. This military deployment aims to secure passage through the strait, shielding merchant ships from missile and drone threats. Its successful execution relies heavily on securing access to military bases and airspace in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.

Reviewing the previous proceedings, the U.S. launched the initiative on the morning of May 4 local time in the Middle East, guiding stranded vessels away. However, the operation lasted less than 48 hours from start to suspension, with approximately 36 hours of actual effective operation. The immediate cause for the abrupt halt was dissatisfaction among Gulf allies. Saudi Arabia explicitly informed the U.S. that American aircraft would not be permitted to depart from Prince Sultan Air Base in the southeast, nor fly over Saudi airspace to support the plan. The U.S. fighter jets, aerial refueling tankers, and air defense systems stationed at this base are critical for the escort mission. U.S. officials acknowledged that cooperation from regional partners is necessary to utilize airspace along the borders, as detours may not be feasible in certain scenarios.

To address this impasse, Trump communicated with Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman. While Trump previously claimed on social media that the suspension resulted from progress in agreements between U.S. and Iranian representatives, or requests from countries like Pakistan, Saudi officials disclosed that the Crown Prince voiced concerns during their call and maintained the restrictive decision. Following a subsequent phone call between the two leaders, the situation shifted. Saudi Arabia has since restored permissions for U.S. troops to enter the base and overfly its airspace, removing a significant obstacle to the operation. Neither Saudi nor Kuwaiti officials have immediately commented publicly. The Pentagon referred inquiries to the White House, which stated that Gulf allies were notified prior to launch, though it declined to disclose details regarding negotiations over base access rights.

This incident has sparked one of the more serious disputes in recent years within U.S.-Saudi military relations, momentarily threatening the long-term security pact between Washington and Riyadh. Previously, Saudi Arabia and other Gulf nations feared the U.S. was downplaying Iranian attacks on the Persian Gulf and might not provide protection in the event of an escalating conflict; these were the underlying reasons for implementing the restrictions. Should the Freedom Plan resume, the U.S. intends to guide participating merchant vessels through a narrow, mine-cleared lane, escorted by warships and aircraft. However, external commentary suggests that further militarization of the region could serve as a spark for conflict escalation. The fact that the operation was shelved after merely a day also highlights the tests of resolve and strategic calculations the U.S. faces in advancing such initiatives.