Trump’s Stark Reversal On Strait Of Hormuz Plan Followed Pushback From Key Ally: NBC NewsPresident Donald Trump’s sudden U-turn regarding a plan to escort ships in the Strait of Hormuz followed backlash from a major U.S. ally, NBC News reported, citing two anonymous U.S. officials. After Trump announced the so-called “Project Freedom” on social media on Sunday, Saudi Arabia told the U.S. that military aircraft would not be able to fly from the Prince Sultan Air Base or through the country’s airspace to assist with the operation. Other Gulf allies were also taken by surprise, per NBC News. Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman then had a call that didn’t resolve the impasse, prompting the president to pause the U.S. effort in the Strait to allow the military to regain access to vital airspace. That decision, which Trump posted on social media on Tuesday, was announced just hours after other members of his administration had promoted U.S. plans to assist ships in the waterway.A White House official told NBC that “regional allies were notified in advance” regarding the U.S.’s plans for “Project Freedom.”The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Read more from NBC News:See All UpdatesClose