India, May 7 -- US President Donald Trump's sudden decision to halt a high-stakes military operation to reopen the Strait of Hormuz was triggered by an unprecedented diplomatic revolt from Saudi Arabia and other key Gulf allies.

Trump's abrupt reversal of his plan to escort commercial ships throughout the Iranian blockage in the Strait of Hormuz came after America's key ally, Saudi Arabia, suspended access to its military bases and the airspace to carry out the operations, at least two US officials told American broadcaster NBC.

Trump took the Gulf allies by "surprise," the officials noted.

The mission, led by US Central Command, dubbed "Project Freedom," was paused just 36 hours after its commencement when Riyadh took the extraordinar...