President Donald Trump has announced a pause in the US military operation aimed at escorting commercial ships through the Strait of Hormuz, just one day after it was launched, as diplomatic efforts to reach a peace agreement with Iran intensify.
The operation, described by Trump as “Project Freedom,” was initiated to secure maritime traffic through the strategic waterway following heightened tensions involving Iran and regional shipping disruptions.
However, in a statement posted on Truth Social, Trump said the operation would be temporarily halted after requests from mediators, including Pakistan and other international partners, who are working to facilitate negotiations with Tehran.
He stated that “great progress” had been made toward a potential comprehensive agreement with Iran and that both sides had agreed to pause certain military actions while discussions continue. The blockade on Iranian ports, however, remains in place as part of ongoing pressure to reach a settlement.
Tensions in the region escalated after reports of attacks on civilian vessels and US claims of strikes on Iranian naval assets during the operation. Washington had earlier said it destroyed several Iranian boats in response to threats in the Strait.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that offensive military actions under what he referred to as “Operation Epic Fury” had concluded, stressing that the current posture is defensive and only involves responding to attacks.
He explained that the US believes it has achieved key objectives of the operation, including significant economic pressure on Iran, while noting that President Trump still prefers a negotiated diplomatic resolution.
The conflict between Israel, the United States, and Iran, which escalated earlier in the year, has involved missile exchanges and regional instability, although a fragile ceasefire declared in April has been intermittently maintained.
Despite the pause in military operations, negotiations between Washington and Tehran remain ongoing, with diplomatic efforts focused on preventing a further escalation of hostilities in the Middle East.
