President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday evening that the United States would temporarily halt Project Freedom, the U.S.-led operation to assist stranded ships in exiting the Strait of Hormuz. He described the pause as lasting for a 'short period' and said it was intended to see if an agreement with Iran to end the war could be finalized.
Trump stated that the decision was made in response to a request from Pakistan and other countries. He did not specify which other countries had made the request.
The president added that the U.S. Navy blockade of ships in the Strait of Hormuz would continue during the pause. The blockade has been a key component of the U.S. military posture in the region.
Project Freedom is the U.S. effort to move ships through the strategic waterway, which has been a focal point of the conflict with Iran. The operation aims to ensure the safe passage of vessels that have been stranded.
Trump indicated that negotiations with Iran are advancing, and the temporary halt would provide an opportunity to finalize a deal. He said the pause would allow time to see if an agreement could be reached.
The announcement did not include a specific timeline for how long the 'short period' would last. No details were provided on the status of the talks or the terms of a potential agreement.
The request from Pakistan and other countries was cited as the reason for the pause. Trump's statement suggested that diplomatic channels were being used to seek a resolution to the war.
The U.S. Navy blockade of ships in the Strait of Hormuz has been enforced to control maritime traffic amid the conflict. Trump confirmed that this blockade would remain in place even as Project Freedom is paused.
The pause marks a temporary shift in the U.S. approach to the Strait of Hormuz, where tensions have been high. The announcement comes as efforts to negotiate an end to the war with Iran continue.
Trump's remarks were made on Tuesday evening, and he characterized the halt as a 'short period' to see if an agreement could be finalized. He did not elaborate on the nature of the negotiations or the role of Pakistan and other countries.
The pause on Project Freedom does not affect the U.S. Navy blockade, which Trump said would continue. The blockade is separate from the effort to move ships, and its continuation signals that military pressure on Iran remains.
The situation in the Strait of Hormuz remains tense, with the U.S. maintaining a naval presence. The pause on Project Freedom is a diplomatic gesture while negotiations proceed.
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