President Donald Trump abruptly suspended a newly launched U.S. operation in the Strait of Hormuz after backlash from key Gulf allies, including Saudi Arabia, according to U.S. officials familiar with the matter who spoke with NBC.

The operation, dubbed “Project Freedom,” was intended to help commercial ships safely navigate the strategic waterway amid Iranian threats and attacks. But officials said the plan hit immediate resistance after Trump publicly announced it Sunday on social media without first fully coordinating with regional partners.

According to two U.S. officials, Saudi leaders were angered by the surprise announcement and responded by suspending permission for the U.S. military to use Saudi airspace and Prince Sultan Airbase near Riyadh in support of the mission.

Officials said a subsequent phone conversation between Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman failed to resolve the disagreement, forcing the administration to temporarily halt the operation while attempting to restore military access through the region.

Other Gulf allies were also reportedly caught off guard. Trump only spoke with Qatari leadership after the mission had already been launched.

A Saudi source told NBC News that Trump and the crown prince “have been in touch regularly.” Saudi officials were also in contact with Trump, Vice President JD Vance, U.S. Central Command and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the source said.

Asked whether Saudi Arabia had been blindsided by the announcement, the source replied: “The problem with that premise is that things are happening quickly in real time.”

The same source added that Saudi Arabia was “very supportive of the diplomatic efforts” being led by Pakistan to help broker a deal between Washington and Tehran aimed at ending the conflict.

The White House disputed claims that regional allies were not informed beforehand. A White House official said, “Regional allies were notified in advance.”

A Middle Eastern diplomat told NBC News that Oman was only brought into discussions after Trump publicly announced the initiative.

“The U.S. made an announcement and then coordinated with us,” the diplomat said, adding, “we were not upset or angry.”

Trump introduced Project Freedom over the weekend as a way to counter Iran’s blockade efforts in the Strait of Hormuz. Senior administration and Pentagon officials spent much of Tuesday publicly defending the mission before the president suddenly paused it about a day and a half after it began.

One U.S. official said the military had already positioned additional vessels in the Gulf in preparation for escorted transit operations before the pause order was issued. Earlier, U.S. Central Command announced that two American-flagged ships had successfully crossed the strait under the operation.

Trump later wrote on social media that Project Freedom would be “paused for a short period of time to see whether or not” an agreement ending the war “can be finalized and signed.”

The United States maintains significant military infrastructure at Prince Sultan Airbase, including fighter jets, refueling aircraft and missile defense systems. Saudi Arabia had previously allowed the U.S. to use the base and its airspace to support operations connected to the war with Iran.

“Because of geography, you need cooperation from regional partners to utilize their airspace along their borders,” one U.S. official said. “In some cases there is no other way around.”

Military aircraft were considered essential to protecting vessels participating in Project Freedom, providing what officials described as a defensive umbrella over the shipping lanes.

The Pentagon refers to such permissions as “ABO,” short for access, basing and overflight rights. Officials noted that Saudi Arabia and Jordan are particularly important for aircraft basing, Kuwait is essential for overflight access, and Oman plays a key role in both overflight and naval logistics.

Trump also contacted Qatar’s emir after the operation had already started. According to a Qatari statement, the two leaders discussed the ceasefire effort and the “implications for maritime security and global supply chains.” The emir also stressed the need for de-escalation.

Despite the pause, the U.S. military continues to maintain a heavy presence in the Gulf region. Officials said there are now two carrier strike groups deployed there, along with expanded logistics support and replenished stockpiles.

Project Freedom briefly involved American surveillance systems, military personnel and firepower aboard ships to ensure safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz as Iranian forces continued threatening maritime traffic. Pentagon officials emphasized the mission was separate from the broader bombing campaign against Iran, known as “Epic Fury,” which began Feb. 28.

At the same time, the Trump administration continues pursuing diplomatic channels to end the fighting. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said Tehran was reviewing another American proposal and would consult with Pakistan, which has been serving as a mediator.

Trump hinted Wednesday that negotiations may be progressing.

“They want to make a deal,” Trump said from the Oval Office. He added there had been “very good talks over the last 24 hours.”

With midterm elections approaching in November, pressure is increasing on the administration to resolve the conflict. In an interview with PBS, Trump suggested an agreement with Iran could potentially be reached before his planned trip to Beijing next week to meet Chinese leader Xi Jinping.

“I think it’s got a very good chance of ending, and if it doesn’t end, we have to go back to bombing the hell out of them,” Trump told PBS.

According to multiple former U.S. officials, some Trump allies have urged him to intensify military operations against Iran and eliminate the regime’s remaining conventional military capabilities before the China trip.

China also entered the diplomatic picture Wednesday as Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Iranian officials and urged a rapid end to the war.

“We believe that a comprehensive ceasefire is urgently needed, that a resumption of hostilities is not acceptable, and that it is particularly important to remain committed to dialogue and negotiations,” Wang said.

Iranian officials, however, signaled skepticism toward the latest American proposal.

“Americans will not obtain through a failed war what they failed to gain in face-to-face negotiations,” Iranian parliament official Ebrahim Rezaei wrote on X. “Iran has its finger on the trigger and is ready; if they do not surrender and grant the necessary concessions, or if they or their devilish henchdog allies try to act mischievously, we will deliver a harsh and regret-inducing response.”

Still, regional officials indicated there is growing momentum behind diplomacy.

“The Iranians don’t have the economic means to keep this going,” a Jordanian official told NBC News. “Their economy is failing, they can’t pay salaries.”