WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump said that he would briefly pause an operation labelled “Project Freedom,” which was launched to escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz, following a request from Pakistan and other countries. He also cited “great progress” toward a comprehensive agreement with Iran.
Earlier in the day, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio had described the operation, which began on Monday, as an effort to escort stranded oil tankers out of the Gulf. He noted that the Strait of Hormuz had been virtually shut since the conflict began, blocking around 20% of global oil supplies and triggering a worldwide energy crisis.
Trump stated on social media: “We have mutually agreed that, while the Blockade will remain in full force and effect, Project Freedom … will be paused for a short period of time to see whether or not the Agreement can be finalised and signed.”
There was no immediate reaction from Tehran, where it was early Wednesday morning at the time of the announcement.
Following the development, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed gratitude to US President Trump, praising his “courageous leadership and timely announcement” regarding the pause in Project Freedom in the Strait of Hormuz.
He said Trump’s response to the request made by Pakistan and other “brotherly countries,” particularly Saudi Arabia and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, would help advance regional peace, stability, and reconciliation during a sensitive period.
PM Shehbaz further stated that Pakistan remains committed to supporting all efforts aimed at promoting restraint and achieving peaceful resolution of conflicts through dialogue and diplomacy.
He added that there is hope the current momentum will lead to a lasting agreement that ensures durable peace and stability in the region and beyond.
Shortly after Trump’s post, US crude oil futures dropped by $2.30, falling below the $100 per barrel mark, a key psychological level after prices had surged during the conflict over the past two months.
The White House did not immediately respond to questions regarding the progress made or how long the pause in the operation would last.
Rubio and other senior US officials earlier stated that Iran could not be allowed to control maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran has reportedly restricted passage through the strait by threatening the use of mines, drones, missiles, and fast-attack boats. In response, the United States has imposed blockades on Iranian ports and conducted escorted transits for commercial vessels.
The US military said on Monday that it had destroyed several Iranian small boats, along with cruise missiles and drones.
Rubio later told reporters at the White House that the United States had achieved its objectives in the military campaign launched on February 28 alongside Israel.
He said, “Operation Epic Fury is concluded. We’re not cheering for an additional situation to occur.”
One of Trump’s main objectives in the military strikes against Iran was to ensure that Tehran does not develop nuclear weapons, an allegation Iran has consistently denied.
However, Iran has not handed over more than 900 pounds of highly enriched uranium, according to reports.
While Rubio was speaking, Britain’s Maritime Trade Operations agency reported that a cargo vessel had been struck by a projectile in the Strait of Hormuz, though further details were not immediately available.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said earlier that the United States had successfully secured a passage through the waterway and that hundreds of commercial ships were preparing to transit. He added that the four-week-old truce with Iran remained in place.
He said, “Right now the ceasefire certainly holds, but we’re going to be watching very, very closely.”
General Dan Caine, chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, said Iranian attacks on US forces had fallen “below the threshold of restarting major combat operations at this point.”
When asked what would constitute a ceasefire violation, Trump responded, “They know what not to do.”
Pakistan has meanwhile emerged as a key intermediary in efforts to revive dialogue, hosting high-level engagements between both sides in Islamabad last month, although a second round of talks has not yet taken place.
The conflict has resulted in thousands of deaths and expanded beyond Iran into Lebanon and the Gulf region, significantly impacting the global economy. The head of the International Monetary Fund said on Tuesday that even if the conflict ended immediately, it would take three to four months to manage its economic consequences.
Rubio said that 10 civilian sailors were among those killed in the conflict and added that crews on stranded vessels were facing starvation and isolation.
Trump said in the Oval Office that Iran’s military had been reduced to firing “peashooters,” adding that Tehran wanted peace despite its public statements.
The conflict has also created political pressure on Trump’s administration ahead of the November midterm elections, as rising fuel prices continue to affect voters.
Trump has argued that US-Israeli strikes were aimed at eliminating what he described as imminent threats from Iran, including its nuclear and ballistic missile programs and its support for groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah.
Iran, however, has condemned the attacks as violations of its sovereignty and maintains that it has the right to pursue nuclear technology for peaceful purposes under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
Diplomatic efforts to end the conflict have so far failed to produce results, although US and Iranian officials have held one round of direct talks. Attempts to schedule further meetings have not succeeded.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said that peace talks were still progressing with Pakistan’s mediation.
He also arrived in Beijing on Wednesday morning for discussions with his Chinese counterpart on bilateral ties and regional and international developments, according to Iranian media reports. Trump is also expected to visit China later this month.