u/andrewgrabowski

Before launch (prior to May 4): Gulf allies (Saudi Arabia & Kuwait) knew about Project Freedom in advance and gave initial okay / support. They were not blindsided.
May 4 (Sunday/Monday): Trump publicly announces and Project Freedom launches. US escorts ships through the Strait.
May 4–5: Iran retaliates hard — attacks on ships in the Strait + major strikes on UAE (Fujairah oil facilities, missiles/drones). Possible involvement near Oman.
After Iranian attacks: Saudi Arabia & Kuwait see that the US is not retaliating strongly (prioritizing "The Deal" with Iran). They then pull the plug — withhold overflight rights and base access (e.g. Prince Sultan Air Base), because they fear Iranian retaliation without solid US protection.
May 6 (Tuesday): Trump pauses Project Freedom (after call with MBS).
May 7–8: After the US promises stronger retaliation and clearer rules of engagement if Iran attacks again, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait lift the restrictions and restore US access to bases and airspace.
Current (May 8): Operation is now expected to restart soon.

On May 18, Sec. Scott Bessent announced the third 30-day Russian oil waiver extension — after previously declaring the US "will not be renewing" it. This while Russia shares targeting intel with Iran against US forces & supplies Tehran with weapons & drones.

On May 18, Sec. Scott Bessent announced the third 30-day Russian oil waiver extension — after previously declaring the US "will not be renewing" it. This while Russia shares targeting intel with Iran against US forces & supplies Tehran with weapons & drones.

On May 19, Trump claimed he held off striking Iran because Qatar, Saudi Arabia & the UAE asked him to — saying a “deal” is in the works. WSJ reports: Officials in those same countries say they had no idea about any imminent US strike plan Trump described.

Hegseth🤡: "Europe needs to get in a boat & open the Strait." | The Strait was fully open until Feb. 28. It makes zero sense for the US — which has the 2nd largest navy — to pressure Europe, when America itself hasn’t been able to resolve the situation

Trump using Gulf allies as a veil so the US can back down without looking weak: “They asked me not to strike Iran tomorrow.” Same play as with Pakistan—when he said they asked him to hold a ceasefire & suspend Project Freedom. BTW, when's Trump ever listened to lesser ally?

Trump official helped secure US visa for fugitive Polish minister

Trump: "Taiwan needs to cool it." Always blaming the victim, like Ukraine. It's China sending warships around Taiwan, launching missiles over their airspace, or running massive invasion drills. That’s China being the aggressor. He always sides with bullies against democracies.

Did you talk to Xi about the cyber attacks that he's done in the United States? TRUMP: I did. And he talked about attacks we did in China. You know, what they do, we do too. We spy like hell on them too. I told him, 'we do a lot of stuff to you that that you don't know about.'

Did you talk to Xi about the cyber attacks that he's done in the United States? TRUMP: I did. And he talked about attacks we did in China. You know, what they do, we do too. We spy like hell on them too. I told him, 'we do a lot of stuff to you that that you don't know about.'

CNN interviews fired whistelblower from Ghislaine Maxwell's prison: Maxwell's given special treatment at the prison — her family is provided snacks and beverages at the prison's expense. Maxwell has direct access to the warden, and prison services are at her beck and call. Everything is unusual.

Long Overlooked, Caspian Sea Provides Strategic Trade Route for Iran. The landlocked body of water has taken on new significance, with Russia shipping military and commercial goods to bolster Tehran’s ability to withstand the U.S. assault.

U.S. intelligence says Iran can outlast Trump’s Hormuz blockade for months

Project Freedom was paused after Saudi Arabia & Kuwait withheld US overflight/base access. They feared Iranian retaliation with no US response—because Trump was chasing "The Deal" & refusing to shoot back. Timeline of events below.

u/andrewgrabowski

On May 18, Sec. Scott Bessent announced the third 30-day Russian oil waiver extension — after previously declaring the US "will not be renewing" it. This while Russia shares targeting intel with Iran against US forces &amp; supplies Tehran with weapons &amp; drones.

On May 18, Sec. Scott Bessent announced the third 30-day Russian oil waiver extension — after previously declaring the US "will not be renewing" it. This while Russia shares targeting intel with Iran against US forces &amp; supplies Tehran with weapons &amp; drones.

On May 19, Trump claimed he held off striking Iran because Qatar, Saudi Arabia &amp; the UAE asked him to — saying a “deal” is in the works. WSJ reports: Officials in those same countries say they had no idea about any imminent US strike plan Trump described.

Hegseth🤡: "Europe needs to get in a boat &amp; open the Strait." | The Strait was fully open until Feb. 28. It makes zero sense for the US — which has the 2nd largest navy — to pressure Europe, when America itself hasn’t been able to resolve the situation

Trump using Gulf allies as a veil so the US can back down without looking weak: “They asked me not to strike Iran tomorrow.” Same play as with Pakistan—when he said they asked him to hold a ceasefire &amp; suspend Project Freedom. BTW, when's Trump ever listened to lesser ally?

Trump official helped secure US visa for fugitive Polish minister

Trump: "Taiwan needs to cool it." Always blaming the victim, like Ukraine. It's China sending warships around Taiwan, launching missiles over their airspace, or running massive invasion drills. That’s China being the aggressor. He always sides with bullies against democracies.

Did you talk to Xi about the cyber attacks that he's done in the United States? TRUMP: I did. And he talked about attacks we did in China. You know, what they do, we do too. We spy like hell on them too. I told him, 'we do a lot of stuff to you that that you don't know about.'

Did you talk to Xi about the cyber attacks that he's done in the United States? TRUMP: I did. And he talked about attacks we did in China. You know, what they do, we do too. We spy like hell on them too. I told him, 'we do a lot of stuff to you that that you don't know about.'

CNN interviews fired whistelblower from Ghislaine Maxwell's prison: Maxwell's given special treatment at the prison — her family is provided snacks and beverages at the prison's expense. Maxwell has direct access to the warden, and prison services are at her beck and call. Everything is unusual.

Long Overlooked, Caspian Sea Provides Strategic Trade Route for Iran. The landlocked body of water has taken on new significance, with Russia shipping military and commercial goods to bolster Tehran’s ability to withstand the U.S. assault.

U.S. intelligence says Iran can outlast Trump’s Hormuz blockade for months

Project Freedom was paused after Saudi Arabia &amp; Kuwait withheld US overflight/base access. They feared Iranian retaliation with no US response—because Trump was chasing "The Deal" &amp; refusing to shoot back. Timeline of events below.

On May 18, Sec. Scott Bessent announced the third 30-day Russian oil waiver extension — after previously declaring the US "will not be renewing" it. This while Russia shares targeting intel with Iran against US forces & supplies Tehran with weapons & drones.

On May 18, Sec. Scott Bessent announced the third 30-day Russian oil waiver extension — after previously declaring the US "will not be renewing" it. This while Russia shares targeting intel with Iran against US forces & supplies Tehran with weapons & drones.

On May 19, Trump claimed he held off striking Iran because Qatar, Saudi Arabia & the UAE asked him to — saying a “deal” is in the works. WSJ reports: Officials in those same countries say they had no idea about any imminent US strike plan Trump described.

Hegseth🤡: "Europe needs to get in a boat & open the Strait." | The Strait was fully open until Feb. 28. It makes zero sense for the US — which has the 2nd largest navy — to pressure Europe, when America itself hasn’t been able to resolve the situation

Trump using Gulf allies as a veil so the US can back down without looking weak: “They asked me not to strike Iran tomorrow.” Same play as with Pakistan—when he said they asked him to hold a ceasefire & suspend Project Freedom. BTW, when's Trump ever listened to lesser ally?

Project Freedom was paused after Saudi Arabia & Kuwait withheld US overflight/base access. They feared Iranian retaliation with no US response—because Trump was chasing "The Deal" & refusing to shoot back. Timeline of events below.