Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Clash Over Use of Saudi Airspace for Hormuz Mission
U.S. officials were surprised when Saudi Arabia denied permission for American forces to use its airspace during a planned operation to protect commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, prompting a series of high-level calls between Washington and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
The United States announced a new operation, dubbed Project Freedom, to escort commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz after Iran effectively closed the waterway early in the conflict. The mission was intended to rely on U.S. naval and air power to deter Iranian attacks during a tentative cease-fire.
U.S. Central Command was caught off guard when Saudi officials informed the Pentagon that American forces could not operate in Saudi airspace, a prerequisite the plan had assumed. The lack of prior consultation sparked a rapid series of telephone conversations between Washington and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
President Donald Trump spoke with the prince on May 4, the first day of the operation, and followed up on the next two days, according to U.S. officials. Vice President JD Vance, special Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, former senior adviser Jared Kushner, and White House national security adviser Marco Rubio also held separate calls with Saudi counterparts.
The disagreement highlighted tensions within the U.S. coalition as it sought to balance support for Saudi security interests with the broader goal of reopening the strategic shipping lane.