Trump puts US operation in Strait of Hormuz on hold. Explanation emerged as to why

US President Donald Trump has suspended Operation Freedom after Washington's partners in the Middle East restricted access of US military personnel to their bases and airspace.

This was reported by NBC News, citing sources.

After announcing the start of the operation, Saudi Arabia told the US that it would not allow the use of Prince Sultan Air Base near Riyadh and Saudi airspace to support it. Before that, Trump announced the start of the project on social networks on May 3, without warning allies in the Persian Gulf.

NBC News reports that a phone call between Trump and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman did not change Riyadh's position. After that, the American President decided to put the operation on hold.

Qatar and Oman also received information about the start of the operation after it was announced. At the same time, the White House stated that the allies were allegedly warned in advance.

According to NBC News, the United States planned to use fighter jets, tanker aircraft and air defense systems located at the Prince Sultan air base to escort ships in the Strait of Hormuz. Because of this, the American operation depended on the allies' permission to base and fly aircraft over the region.

On May 6, Trump said that Operation Freedom was temporarily suspended at the request of Pakistan and other states, as well as due to "significant progress" in negotiations on a possible agreement with Iran.

Operation Freedom was intended to remove neutral ships from the Strait of Hormuz that had been stranded there due to Iran's blockade. U.S. Central Command reported that two U.S.-flagged ships had already passed through the route as part of the project.