The United States has paused its effort to escort commercial ships through the Strait of Hormuz barely a day after the operation started, with President Donald Trump citing progress toward a potential agreement with Iran. The naval escort mission, dubbed “Project Freedom” by Trump, began on Monday but was halted Tuesday evening to allow diplomats time to finalize a deal. Trump wrote on social media that “great progress has been made” toward a complete and final agreement with Tehran, and that while the blockade of Iranian ports “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 finalized and signed”. d49c
The pause came only hours after Secretary of State Marco Rubio was briefing reporters on the escort effort and declaring that the initial offensive phase, “Operation Epic Fury,” had concluded. Rubio said the United States had achieved its military objectives and would only fire if fired upon, while emphasizing that US forces were ready to resume combat operations if ordered. The day before the pause, the US military reported destroying several Iranian small boats, cruise missiles, and drones after Iran attacked ships participating in the escorts.
The Strait of Hormuz has been virtually shut since the war began on February 28, disrupting one-fifth of the world’s oil and gas supply and pushing commodity prices higher. Iran had effectively sealed off the strait by threatening mines, drones, missiles, and fast-attack craft, while the US countered with a blockade of Iranian ports and escorted transits for commercial vessels. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards navy warned of a “firm response” if ships deviated from its approved route, and the United Arab Emirates reported intercepting missiles and drones from Iran for a second day, a claim Tehran denied.
Trump’s announcement noted that the pause was mutually agreed and temporary, intended to test whether a deal could be signed. He maintained that US pressure would continue through the port blockade, while one of his stated objectives remains ensuring Iran does not develop a nuclear weapon. Global energy markets reacted to the news, with US crude oil futures falling below $100 per barrel after the announcement. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Beijing for talks with Chinese officials as the diplomatic track continued.
