White House disputes Gulf countries’ restrictions led to pause of Project Freedom

Published May 7, 2026 4:42pm ET



The White House disputed reports that a lack of Gulf State support for Project Freedom, the administration’s plan to have the U.S. Navy guide commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, prompted President Donald Trump to pause the initiative.

Trump announced Project Freedom over the weekend but called it off by Tuesday evening, claiming that he did so because they have made “great progress” toward a deal, adding that it was also “based on the request of Pakistan and other Country.”

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