US President Donald Trump has reportedly paused a planned naval mission in the Strait of Hormuz after Saudi Arabia refused to allow American aircraft involved in the operation to use Prince Sultan Airbase near Riyadh or fly through Saudi airspace.

The report, which cited US officials, stated that Saudi Arabia and several Gulf nations were surprised by Trump’s sudden announcement of “Project Freedom” on Sunday. The initiative was aimed at escorting commercial vessels through the strategically important Strait of Hormuz amid rising tensions in the region.

According to the report, Trump personally contacted Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in an attempt to secure approval for the operation. However, the discussion reportedly did not result in an agreement from the Saudi side.

When asked whether the operation had caught Saudi leaders off guard, a Saudi source told NBC News, "the problem with that premise is that things are happening quickly in real time."

The same source added that Saudi Arabia remains "very supportive of the diplomatic efforts" being led by Pakistan to help broker an agreement between the United States and Iran.

A White House official, however, rejected claims that regional partners were not informed beforehand. The official told NBC News that "regional allies were notified in advance" about the operation.

At the same time, a West Asian diplomat quoted in the report claimed that the US only coordinated with Oman after Trump had publicly announced the mission.

"The US made an announcement and then coordinated with us," the diplomat said, adding, "We were not upset or angry."

Meanwhile, Iran’s Ports and Maritime Organisation announced on Thursday that it is fully prepared to provide maritime, technical, and medical support services to commercial ships operating in the Strait of Hormuz and nearby regional waters. The announcement came a day after Trump declared a temporary pause to “Project Freedom”.

According to a statement carried by Iran’s state-run IRNA, the maritime authority issued the advisory to ship commanders in order to maintain maritime safety, improve vessel seaworthiness, and protect the welfare of crew members navigating the region.

The organisation said the message is being formally shared through maritime communication systems connected to Iranian ports. It is intended for all commercial vessels operating near Iranian territorial waters and anchorages.

As per IRNA, the authority stated that ships can access several support services if needed. These include fuel supply, food provisions, medical assistance, health-related services, and authorised repair materials for vessels operating in the region.

The Ports and Maritime Organisation also stressed that the move reflects Iran’s commitment to maintaining safe and sustainable maritime traffic in one of the world’s most strategically significant waterways. The Strait of Hormuz remains a critical route for global oil and trade movement.

The statement further mentioned that the advisory would be broadcast three times daily for three consecutive days through maritime communication systems and VHF radio networks operating in the area.

Ship masters and vessel owners were also instructed to contact Vessel Traffic Service centres at the nearest Iranian ports or communicate through local representatives on VHF channel 16 to request operational support and other required services.

The latest developments came after Trump announced on Tuesday that “Project Freedom” would be temporarily paused. The initiative was originally launched to assist commercial ships stranded in the Strait of Hormuz during heightened regional tensions, while the naval blockade on Iranian ports continues to remain in place.

In a post shared on Truth Social, Trump said the decision to halt the operation temporarily was made following requests from Pakistan and other countries. Pakistan has reportedly been playing a mediating role in efforts to secure a peace agreement between Washington and Tehran.

Trump also claimed that the decision followed what he described as major military gains achieved during the campaign against Iran. He further pointed to progress in ongoing discussions with Iranian representatives as another reason behind the pause.

The US President stated that the temporary halt was announced to "see whether or not the Agreement can be finalised and signed" between Tehran and Washington.

The situation highlights the growing diplomatic and military complexities in the Gulf region. While the US continues to push for strategic control and security in the Strait of Hormuz, regional powers are also focusing on diplomatic negotiations to prevent further escalation between Washington and Tehran.