Journalist
Hwang Jin-hyun
jinhyun97@ajunews.com
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Dua Lipa Sues Samsung for $15 Million Over Unauthorized Photo Use Dua Lipa, the global pop star, has reportedly filed a lawsuit against Samsung Electronics for $15 million (approximately 22 billion won), claiming unauthorized use of her photo. On May 9, U.S. entertainment outlet Variety reported that Lipa's team filed the lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, alleging copyright infringement, trademark infringement, and violation of publicity rights. According to the lawsuit, Samsung began using Lipa's photo on TV packaging last year. After discovering this, Lipa's team requested that Samsung cease using the image, but the company allegedly refused. The complaint states, "Lipa's face was used extensively in a large-scale marketing campaign for consumer products without her consent or prior consultation, and without granting her any voice or control over its use. Lipa did not permit this and would not have permitted it." The lawsuit also cites social media posts from some consumers who expressed their intent to purchase the TV packaging featuring Lipa's photo. Lipa's team argues this demonstrates Samsung's commercial exploitation of her image and brand value. Lipa, a British artist, debuted in 2015 with the single "New Love" and gained recognition with her first studio album, "Dua Lipa," which reached No. 3 on the UK Albums Chart in 2017. She has since won three Grammy Awards. Variety reached out to Samsung for comment but did not receive an immediate response.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-11 03:15:20 -
U.S. Navy Blocks Dozens of Ships Amid Iran's Threats of Retaliation The U.S. military is implementing a maritime blockade against Iran, disrupting its trade routes. In response, Iran has warned that it will retaliate against U.S. bases and vessels if its ships are attacked in the Strait of Hormuz. U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), which oversees military operations in the Middle East, announced on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) on May 9 that it has redirected the routes of 58 commercial vessels and neutralized four ships to prevent access to Iranian ports since April 13. This blockade began on April 13, following a ceasefire agreement with Iran on April 7, and aims to pressure Iran’s funding sources to gain leverage in peace negotiations. In retaliation, Iran has issued a warning that any attacks on its oil tankers or commercial vessels will lead to strong reprisals against U.S. positions and enemy ships in the region. According to reports from AFP and other outlets, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) stated, "Any attack on Iranian oil tankers or commercial vessels will result in a powerful response against U.S. bases and enemy ships in the area." This warning came after the U.S. announced that it had neutralized two Iranian oil tankers attempting to breach the maritime blockade in the Strait of Hormuz and enter Iranian ports in the Gulf of Oman. Iran confirmed that there had been "limited clashes" with U.S. forces in the Strait of Hormuz. On May 7, U.S. and Iranian forces exchanged attacks in the Strait of Hormuz. However, both sides maintain that the ceasefire is still in effect. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump stated the previous day that he expected to receive a letter from Iran regarding U.S. demands. It remains unclear whether Iran has formally communicated its position. Previously, President Trump indicated that the peace agreement would include provisions for the removal of Iran's stockpile of highly enriched uranium and the cessation of operations at its underground nuclear facilities, but Iran has not yet provided an official response.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-11 03:11:36 -
NATO Proposes Satellite Launch Cooperation with South Korea, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand NATO has proposed participation in its satellite launch cooperation initiative, known as the "StarLift" plan, to South Korea, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand, four partners in the Indo-Pacific region. According to the Nihon Keizai Shimbun (Nikkei) on May 10, NATO has recently reached out to these four countries regarding their involvement in the StarLift initiative. The StarLift plan aims to quickly launch replacement satellites using the launch facilities of partner nations in the event of issues with existing satellites or launch equipment, with a focus on restoring satellite networks. Both military and commercial satellites are expected to be included in this initiative. NATO has reported that China and Russia are enhancing their military capabilities in space, particularly through reconnaissance satellites. As countries expand their networks of reconnaissance and communication satellites, concerns have grown over potential interference or destruction of satellites, especially following reports of Russian satellites tracking others. In response to the potential for attacks in space, NATO initiated the StarLift plan in 2024, with participation from over ten member countries, including France, Germany, and Italy. The Nikkei reported that the Japanese government has responded positively to NATO's proposal and is currently coordinating among relevant ministries. However, Japan will need a separate agreement to participate, and there are numerous logistical issues to address, including the transportation procedures for launch facilities and related equipment across borders. South Korea, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand, which received the proposal, are part of the four Indo-Pacific partners (IP4) that NATO has been seeking to strengthen cooperation with. NATO is expanding its connections with these partner countries not only in traditional land, sea, and air operations but also in new security domains such as space and cyberspace. Japan's cooperation with NATO in space is also becoming more concrete. The Nikkei reported that Japan has confirmed its participation in NATO's "SpaceNet" initiative, which discusses how to utilize necessary security technologies with companies in the space industry. The Japanese government plans to compile a list of relevant companies to discuss cooperation with NATO.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-11 02:57:14 -
Putin Says Meeting Zelensky Possible Only in Moscow Russian President Vladimir Putin emphasized the justification of the Ukraine war during his speech commemorating the 81st anniversary of Victory Day, stating that any direct talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky would only be possible in Moscow. On May 9, during a press conference marking the victory in World War II, Putin expressed his willingness to engage in direct dialogue with Zelensky but insisted that the meeting must take place in the Russian capital. He stated, "Anyone who wants to meet me must come to Moscow." While he clarified that this was not a direct invitation to Zelensky, he expressed his readiness to meet, adding, "We can meet somewhere other than Moscow, but only if a long-term peace agreement is reached beforehand." Putin dismissed reports regarding a message from Zelensky conveyed by Slovak Prime Minister Roberto Fico, stating, "There was no personal message." He acknowledged that Fico had communicated Zelensky's willingness to meet but noted, "This is not the first time we have heard such statements." In his Victory Day speech, Putin reiterated the legitimacy of the Ukraine war, claiming, "We are facing aggressive forces supported by NATO," and asserted, "Our heroes are advancing and winning on the front lines and in the rear." He emphasized, "I firmly believe our cause is just." Putin also addressed the contentious issue of uranium enrichment in the context of ceasefire negotiations between the U.S. and Iran, stating that Russia could play a mediating role. He explained that, if necessary, Russia could accept and store Iran's enriched uranium as part of a ceasefire agreement. He claimed that all parties involved, including Iran, the U.S., and Israel, had initially agreed on uranium removal, but the U.S. later changed its position, prompting Iran to adopt a tougher stance. He noted that Russia had previously received enriched uranium from Iran in 2015 and was prepared to repeat that experience. Earlier, U.S. President Donald Trump stated that he had received an offer of assistance from Russia regarding Iran's enriched uranium but declined it, suggesting that the focus should remain on ending the war in Ukraine. North Korean Troops Participate in Victory Day Parade As Putin used Victory Day to underscore the justification for the Ukraine war, the participation of North Korean troops in the parade drew attention. According to TASS, North Korean military units marched in the military parade held in Moscow's Red Square to commemorate the victory in World War II. Victory Day is one of Russia's major national holidays, celebrating the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany, with large military parades taking place annually on May 9. This marked the first time North Korean troops participated in the Russian Victory Day parade. Video footage shared by TASS on social media showed North Korean soldiers in uniforms marching in formation while carrying rifles. Reuters and the Associated Press reported that the North Korean troops marching in Red Square were part of units that had fought alongside Russian forces in the Kursk region. Analysts suggested that their participation symbolized respect for North Korea's support of Russia in the Ukraine war. Kursk is a southwestern region of Russia bordering Ukraine, where Ukrainian forces occupied parts of the area in August 2024. North Korea is believed to have contributed to Russia's efforts to reclaim Kursk. Russia officially declared the recovery of Kursk territory on April 26 of last year. Leonid Slutsky, Chairman of the Russian State Duma's International Affairs Committee, told TASS, "The participation of North Korean troops in the parade signifies the strategic partnership and alliance between our two countries." He added, "North Korean soldiers fought bravely and selflessly alongside our troops to liberate the Kursk region, which exemplifies true camaraderie."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-11 02:48:30 -
Qatar Mediates U.S.-Iran Negotiations as Iran Approves LNG Passage to Pakistan Amid final negotiations for a ceasefire between the United States and Iran, Qatar is accelerating its role as a mediator. Iran has reportedly approved the passage of a Qatari liquefied natural gas (LNG) vessel through the Strait of Hormuz, signaling a move to build trust with the mediating country. On May 9, Axios reported that U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and White House Special Envoy Steve Witkoff met with Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani in Miami. The meeting was convened to discuss ways to draft a memorandum of understanding (MOU) aimed at ending the war in Iran. Prime Minister Al Thani was initially scheduled to return to Doha after a meeting with U.S. Vice President JD Vance in Washington but altered his plans to head to Miami instead. While in Miami, he also spoke with the Saudi foreign minister to discuss mediation strategies. The U.S. and Iran are currently negotiating a one-page document to officially end the war and establish a framework for future discussions on sensitive issues, including Iran's nuclear program. Reports indicate that U.S. officials were awaiting Iran's latest response by the afternoon of May 10. Since the outbreak of the war, Pakistan has served as the official mediator between the U.S. and Iran, but Qatar has also been involved in behind-the-scenes negotiations. U.S. officials have stated that the White House views Qatar as an effective mediator in talks with Iran. A source revealed that Qatar, Pakistan, Egypt, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia are collaborating to reach an agreement, urging both sides to de-escalate tensions and focus on a resolution. Iran Approves Passage of Qatari LNG Vessel Through Strait of Hormuz In related developments, a Qatari LNG vessel has received approval from Iran to navigate toward the Strait of Hormuz. According to Reuters, citing shipping data from the London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG), the LNG carrier "Al Karaitiyat" departed from Qatar's Ras Laffan port and is en route to Pakistan's Qasim port. Sources indicate that the shipment was sold under a government contract between Pakistan and Qatar, and Iran granted this passage as part of building trust with Pakistan, which has played a mediating role in ceasefire negotiations with the U.S. If successful, this voyage will mark the first instance of a Qatari LNG vessel passing through the Strait of Hormuz since the war began in late February. Facing a severe gas shortage, Pakistan has been requesting Iran to allow LNG vessels to transit, even on a limited basis. The "Al Karaitiyat," registered in the Marshall Islands, is a large vessel capable of carrying approximately 212,000 cubic meters of LNG and is managed by a Qatari shipping company. Previously, on April 6, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) halted two Qatari LNG carriers heading toward the Strait of Hormuz without explanation. Qatar is the world's second-largest LNG exporter, primarily supplying gas to Asian markets. However, it has been reported that 17% of Qatar's total LNG export capacity was impacted by Iranian attacks early in the war. It is expected to take 3 to 5 years to restore production facilities with an annual capacity of 12.8 million tons.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-10 11:27:25 -
Indian Ambassador Calls South Korea a Key Partner for India's 2047 Vision Indian Ambassador Goranglal Das described President Lee Jae-myung's recent state visit to India as a pivotal moment for the two nations, reflecting the deep interest both leaders have in strengthening bilateral relations. During a press briefing on May 7 at the Indian Embassy in Yongsan, Das stated, "This visit is the result of the special attention that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Lee have given to our relationship." He emphasized Modi's longstanding respect for South Korea, recalling that during his first press conference as Chief Minister of Gujarat 25 years ago, Modi expressed a desire to model Gujarat after South Korea. "This shows how much attention Modi has paid to India-South Korea relations," Das noted. Das also highlighted Lee's commitment to India, mentioning that before becoming president, Lee served as the head of the Korea-India Friendship Association in the National Assembly, underscoring the importance he places on India. The ambassador pointed out that while the two leaders had previously met at the G7 and G20 summits, this state visit allowed for a more in-depth discussion about the future direction of their partnership. "From India's perspective, South Korea is a like-minded democratic nation and a special strategic partner," Das said, emphasizing the importance of collaboration amid geopolitical tensions, supply chain disruptions, energy uncertainties, and the rise of AI. He also noted South Korea's role as a key partner in India's 'Make in India' initiative, citing the successes of Samsung and Hyundai in India as examples of significant technological contributions across various sectors, including defense. Das revealed that India aims to become a developed nation by 2047, the centenary of its independence, and sees South Korea as a crucial partner in achieving this 'Viksit Bharat' vision. Comprehensive Industrial Cooperation from Shipbuilding to AI Das identified key areas for cooperation, including shipbuilding, semiconductors, AI, energy, steel, critical minerals, creative industries, and startups. He explained that India is prioritizing South Korea as it advances its maritime industry under the 'Maritime Amrit Kaal' vision. In semiconductors and AI, he highlighted the potential synergy between India's workforce and data and South Korea's semiconductor leadership. In the energy sector, India aims to achieve 100 gigawatts of nuclear power by 2047 and sees significant collaboration opportunities in green ammonia and green hydrogen supply. Das mentioned that India targets a steel production capacity of 500 million tons by 2047, and South Korea's advanced steel manufacturing technology could aid in India's self-sufficiency. During the state visit, the two leaders reportedly met for over five hours. They also commemorated their ancient ties with a tree planting ceremony, referencing a legend about an Indian princess from Ayodhya who married King Suro of Korea around 2,000 years ago. The planted tree will eventually be moved to a memorial park for the princess in Ayodhya. In the economic sphere, President Lee attended a business summit with around 800 participants, while Modi expanded a planned casual lunch into a working lunch with South Korean business leaders. Achievements in corporate collaboration included the establishment of a steel joint venture between POSCO and India's JSW, as well as Hyundai's cooperation in setting up a greenfield shipyard in India. Additional events included a financial cooperation forum, Bengaluru Space Day, and a venture, startup, employment, and entrepreneurship fair held alongside the summit. Das noted that four political documents were adopted during the visit, covering overall strategic vision as well as agreements in maritime, sustainability, and energy sectors. He quoted Modi, stating that the scope of cooperation has expanded "from chips to ships, talent to technology, and environment to energy." In response to questions, Das discussed expanding opportunities for South Korean companies in India, noting that fewer than 700 South Korean firms currently operate there. He mentioned President Lee's ambition to increase this number tenfold and highlighted discussions about creating a dedicated industrial zone for South Korean SMEs. Regarding energy cooperation, Das explained that both countries rely heavily on hydrocarbons from West Asia, making them vulnerable to supply chain disruptions. He expressed India's goal of becoming a more stable supplier of naphtha to South Korea, emphasizing the need for long-term contracts to enhance predictability. However, he clarified that sourcing and resale issues should be determined by companies, not governments. Das also mentioned interest in attracting significant Korean investments to the Indian stock market, citing examples of major Korean companies listing in India.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-07 23:17:56 -
Trump Signals Iran Deal Could Be Reached Within a Week Ahead of China Trip U.S. President Donald Trump suggested the United States could wrap up negotiations with Iran to end the war before his planned trip to China, as reports said the two sides are discussing a memorandum of understanding. Trump also warned he would intensify military pressure if no deal is reached. According to The Wall Street Journal and other outlets, Trump told reporters at a White House event on Tuesday local time that Iran “cannot have a nuclear weapon and will not,” adding that Iran had agreed on that point “along with many other things.” He said the two sides had “very good talks over the last 24 hours” and that “there’s a very good chance” of an agreement. CNN and Axios reported the U.S. and Iran are discussing a one-page MOU aimed at ending the war. The reports said it would include a temporary halt to Iran’s nuclear enrichment, U.S. sanctions relief, and a gradual lifting of Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz and the U.S. maritime blockade of Iran. In an interview with PBS, Trump said a deal would include removing Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium to the United States and shutting down Iran’s underground nuclear facilities. Trump also raised the possibility of a deal before his planned China visit on May 14-15. Asked by PBS whether it could be concluded before he leaves, he replied, “Possible.” Axios, citing officials, reported the White House hopes the talks will be finished before Trump’s China trip ends on May 15. Fox News anchor Bret Baier said Trump told him in a previous call that he expected about a week to finalize the process. Baier said Trump expressed “cautious optimism.” Even as he highlighted progress, Trump warned of renewed bombing if Iran does not agree. In a post on Truth Social, he wrote that if Iran does not consent, “the bombing will start,” and that it would be “at a much higher level and intensity than before.” U.S. keeps maritime blockade on Iran The United States has kept up pressure by maintaining its maritime blockade of Iran despite the reported diplomatic progress. U.S. Central Command said it “enforced the blockade” against the tanker Hasna as it traveled through international waters toward an Iranian port in the Gulf of Oman at about 9 a.m. Eastern time Tuesday. Central Command said the Hasna ignored repeated warnings, prompting U.S. forces to fire a 20mm machine gun and disable its rudder. It said the ship is no longer sailing to Iran and that the U.S. blockade on vessels seeking to enter or leave Iranian ports “remains fully in effect.” The United States began the maritime blockade at 10 a.m. on April 13, aiming to block ship movements through Iranian ports in what it described as a countermeasure to Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz. The U.S. has said the blockade, intended to increase economic pressure, will remain until an agreement is finalized. Trump has repeatedly said the blockade will not be lifted until a signed deal to end the war is in place. Iran, meanwhile, has officially introduced new maritime rules requiring all ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz to obtain prior transit permission starting May 5, leaving unresolved friction over reopening the waterway.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-07 11:24:15 -
Arm Says Demand for Its Data Center AI Chip Has Doubled, Challenging Nvidia’s Grip British chip designer Arm says demand for its in-house data center artificial intelligence chip is running ahead of expectations, accelerating its shift into selling finished chips. The move puts Arm into more direct competition in an AI chip market that has largely grown around Nvidia’s graphics processing units, as Arm pushes its own CPU-based product. The Financial Times and The Wall Street Journal reported that Arm said in an earnings release on 7일(현지시간) that combined demand for its self-developed data center chip, the “AGI CPU,” is projected at $2 billion for fiscal 2027 and 2028. That is double the $1 billion demand forecast Arm gave when it introduced the chip in March. Arm kept its revenue outlook for the chip at $1 billion, saying it has not yet secured enough supply to meet the full $2 billion in projected demand. On a conference call, Arm CEO Rene Haas said the $1 billion figure cited in March reflected “secured supply” that could support that level of demand. He said that includes access to memory, wafers, packaging and test equipment, and that the company is now working to line up supply to support $2 billion in demand. Haas added that the company is working around the clock “to find the right solutions for customers.” Arm expects revenue from the chip to begin showing up in the fourth quarter of its current fiscal year. Arm has long grown by licensing semiconductor design intellectual property to companies including Nvidia, Google and Amazon. By launching its first finished, in-house chip in its roughly 35-year history, Arm is also positioning itself as a competitor to some of its existing customers. The FT said that early in the AI boom, demand for CPUs was relatively limited as customers rushed to buy Nvidia GPUs to train AI models. More recently, it said, demand has risen for CPUs that support running AI applications, benefiting Arm as well as Intel and AMD. Haas said demand for the AGI CPU “exceeded expectations” and that Arm has established itself as a computing platform for the AI era. He also forecast that CPU demand will quadruple in the future. Arm said it expects supplying technology for AI data centers to become its biggest business over the long term. It maintained its target of reaching $15 billion in chip revenue by 2031. “The direction is clear,” Haas said, adding that customers want Arm “at the center of the data center.” The push also aligns with a strategy by Arm’s largest shareholder, SoftBank Chairman Masayoshi Son, to build an AI semiconductor supply chain. Son has promoted what he calls the “Izanagi Project” to foster an AI chip ecosystem that can take on Nvidia. Haas was appointed last month as CEO of SoftBank International Group, taking a central role in that strategy. Record revenue, but rising costs in focus Arm reported first-quarter revenue of $1.49 billion, up 20% from a year earlier and a record high. Adjusted earnings were 60 cents a share, above the market estimate of 58 cents. Royalty revenue rose 11% to $671 million on growth in smartphones and AI applications, though it fell short of some market expectations. License and other revenue climbed 29% to $819 million, beating expectations; the company attributed the increase to stronger demand for AI chip design and platforms. For the second quarter, Arm forecast revenue of $1.21 billion to $1.31 billion and adjusted earnings of 36 cents to 44 cents a share. The market expects revenue of $1.25 billion and adjusted earnings of 37 cents a share. Arm executives said costs tied to building out supply chains are likely to be a near-term burden. They said operating expenses are expected to rise sequentially by a few percentage points each quarter this year, but projected that by year’s end revenue growth will outpace expense growth. Arm shares have more than doubled so far this year on expectations for its new AI chip. After the earnings release, the stock fell in after-hours trading as concerns about supply constraints and rising costs drew attention.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-07 10:34:52 -
Hantavirus-hit cruise ship heads to Spain’s Canary Islands; WHO says risk remains low A cruise ship hit by a cluster of hantavirus infections while sailing off West Africa headed for Spain’s Canary Islands after disembarking three suspected patients. AP and Reuters reported that the Dutch-flagged MV Hondius, which had been anchored for several days off the coast of Cabo Verde, began moving on May 6 (local time) with 146 passengers and crew aboard. The three suspected patients were taken off the ship and were being flown by air ambulance to the Netherlands. The Dutch Foreign Ministry said they are a 41-year-old Dutch national, a 56-year-old British national and a 65-year-old German national, and will be transferred directly to specialized hospitals in their respective European countries. Authorities have identified eight suspected cases so far, including three confirmed infections. Three people — a Dutch couple and a German — have died. One of the confirmed cases was the Dutch woman who died. Another was a British patient being treated in South Africa. South Africa’s Health Ministry said testing confirmed the Andes strain, which can spread from person to person. Swiss authorities said one of their citizens who left the ship and returned home in late April is being treated in Zurich and was also confirmed to have the Andes strain. A World Health Organization official said the same strain was identified in samples taken in Cabo Verde, South Africa and Switzerland. The ship departed Argentina on April 1 and traveled through remote areas including the Antarctic mainland, South Georgia Island and Nightingale Island. After infections were confirmed, Cabo Verde refused the ship entry, citing a public health threat. Spain decided to allow it to dock in the Canary Islands on humanitarian grounds. Cabo Verde authorities said an air ambulance arrived the previous night, but stressed that once the evacuation was completed, “the ship must resume its voyage.” Spanish Health Minister Monica Garcia told a news conference in Madrid that all remaining passengers and crew had no hantavirus symptoms and that the ship is expected to arrive in Tenerife in three days. Garcia said that if all non-Spanish passengers are healthy, they will be sent back to their home countries, while 14 Spanish passengers will be quarantined at a military hospital in Madrid. The Canary Islands’ regional government has objected to the central government’s decision. Regional leader Fernando Clavijo told Spanish broadcaster Onda Cero, “We cannot allow it to dock in the Canary Islands. This decision is not based on our criteria, and we have not received enough information.” WHO: “Not like COVID-19” The WHO said it is working with national authorities to trace the movements of 69 people who had close contact with passengers. The agency has repeatedly stressed that the situation is very different from the COVID-19 pandemic. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus wrote on social media platform X that “at this stage, the overall public health risk remains low.” He said the WHO is working with the operator to closely monitor the health of passengers and crew and is coordinating with national authorities to begin medical monitoring and follow-up for passengers, including those who have already disembarked. In an interview with AFP, Tedros said the risk in other parts of the world is low. Asked whether the outbreak resembled the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, he said he did not think so. Maria Van Kerkhove, the WHO’s epidemic management director, told Reuters that “close contact” for person-to-person transmission means very close physical contact, such as sharing a cabin or providing medical care. “That is very different from COVID-19 and influenza,” she said.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-07 09:40:26 -
Trump Halted 'Project Freedom' After Saudi, Gulf Allies Withheld Base and Airspace Access U.S. President Donald Trump halted “Project Freedom,” an operation aimed at helping ships transit the Strait of Hormuz, after pushback from key Gulf allies, NBC News reported. NBC News, citing two U.S. officials, reported May 6 that Trump abruptly reversed his plan to support ships passing through the strait after core Gulf partners withdrew permission for U.S. forces to use their bases and airspace for the mission. According to the report, Trump announced Project Freedom over the weekend on Truth Social as a way to break Iran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. The announcement was made without sufficient prior coordination with some Gulf allies and drew objections from Saudi Arabia’s leadership, the officials said. Saudi Arabia notified the United States that it would not allow U.S. aircraft to launch from Prince Sultan Air Base southeast of Riyadh or permit flights through Saudi airspace to support the operation, the officials said. The issue was not resolved despite a call between Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and Trump had to pause the operation to regain access to critical airspace, the officials said. Project Freedom was designed to use U.S. military power to help ensure safe passage for ships if Iran threatened or attacked vessels transiting the strait. U.S. forces planned to provide surveillance assets, firepower and boarding teams to protect ships leaving the Persian Gulf. U.S. Central Command previously said two U.S.-flagged ships transited the strait as part of the operation. About 36 hours after the operation began, Trump ordered it halted. He said the pause would be brief to determine whether an agreement could be finalized and signed. U.S. military operations depend on Middle East allies Saudi cooperation is considered essential for U.S. operations. Prince Sultan Air Base hosts U.S. fighter jets, aerial refueling aircraft and air defense assets. One U.S. official told NBC News that for geographic reasons, using airspace along borders requires cooperation from regional partners and, in some cases, there is no alternative. NBC said military aircraft were expected to provide a “defensive umbrella” to protect ships during Project Freedom. Saudi Arabia and Jordan are important for basing aircraft, Kuwait for overflight, and Oman for overflight and naval logistics support. Analysts said that without adequate prior coordination with Gulf allies, any military operation tied to the Strait of Hormuz would be constrained. A Middle Eastern diplomat said the United States coordinated with Oman only after Trump’s announcement. “The U.S. coordinated with us after it made the announcement,” the diplomat said, adding, “We were not angry or furious.” A Saudi source, asked whether the announcement surprised Saudi leaders, said, “The issue is that everything is moving fast in real time.” The White House said regional allies were notified in advance. A White House official, asked whether some Gulf states were not informed beforehand, said, “Regional allies were notified in advance.” The pause also comes as talks on ending the war between the United States and Iran regain momentum. Iran’s Foreign Ministry said it is reviewing a new U.S. peace proposal and will discuss it with mediator Pakistan after completing its assessment. Trump said, “They want a deal,” and claimed there had been “very good talks” over the past 24 hours. In a PBS interview, Trump said a deal with Iran could be reached before he travels to Beijing for a meeting next week with Chinese President Xi Jinping. “I think there’s a very good chance it will end. And if it doesn’t end, we have to go back and bomb them like hell,” he said. Iranian hard-liners have warned against the U.S. proposal. Ebrahim Rezaei, spokesperson for Iran’s parliament National Security Committee, wrote on X that the latest proposal is a wish list until it becomes reality and said, “The U.S. will not obtain through a failed war what it did not obtain in direct negotiations.” Still, some in the region said diplomacy remains the likelier outcome. A Jordanian official told NBC News, “Iran does not have the economic means to keep this going,” adding, “The economy is collapsing and it cannot even pay wages.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-07 09:21:16