The United States has cleared a major obstacle to restarting its military operation to guide commercial ships through the Strait of Hormuz after reaching an agreement with Saudi Arabia on the use of its airspace and military bases, according to U.S. officials and reports from The Wall Street Journal and The Financial Times. The development follows a phone call between President Donald Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Wednesday, ending a standoff that had previously forced the suspension of the mission, known as 'Project Freedom'.

Saudi Arabia and Kuwait had refused to allow American warplanes to operate from their territory or fly through their airspace, citing concerns that the operation was escalatory and poorly coordinated. Riyadh viewed the mission as increasing the risk of broader conflict with Iran, particularly after Trump threatened to target civilian infrastructure. Saudi officials, while supportive of countering Iranian aggression, expressed alarm over the unpredictability of U.S. strategy and the resulting retaliatory strikes on regional allies, including the United Arab Emirates.

Iran responded to the initial U.S. effort by launching drone and missile attacks on American naval and merchant vessels, as well as conducting airstrikes on UAE targets, including an oil facility in Fujairah that caught fire and injured three Indian workers. U.S. forces intercepted most of the attacks and sank six Iranian fast-attack boats. The clashes threatened a fragile ceasefire, though the Trump administration described the exchanges as limited and maintained the truce remained intact.

With the diplomatic hurdle resolved, Pentagon officials indicated to The Wall Street Journal that the operation could resume as early as this week, pending final operational planning. The U.S. continues to coordinate with regional partners on maritime security, while Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states are urging a diplomatic path to secure the Strait of Hormuz and de-escalate tensions with Iran.

The Defense Department is expected to issue updated guidance on the operation within days, as commercial shipping remains under threat in one of the world's most critical energy transit routes.