(Adnkronos) – The American President Donald Trump’s U-turn regarding the ‘Project Freedom’ initiative would stem from the decision of a major American ally in the Gulf, Saudi Arabia, not to grant the US the use of its bases and airspace to conduct the operation. This is reported exclusively by Nbc, citing two US officials, according to whom Trump’s surprise announcement of ‘Project Freedom’ sparked the anger of the Saudi leadership. In response, the Kingdom informed the United States that it would not allow the American military to launch aircraft from Prince Sultan Air Base southeast of Riyadh, nor to fly over Saudi airspace to support the initiative, the officials said.
A phone call between Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman did not resolve the issue, the two US officials said, forcing the American president to suspend the operation to restore US military access to strategic airspace. A Saudi source told Nbc News that Trump and Mbs “have been in regular contact.” The source added that Saudi officials were also in contact with Trump, Vice President JD Vance, US Central Command, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
