Trump pauses ‘Project Freedom’ amid progress in Iran talks

International, Middle East, North America

INTERNATIONAL (NPA) — United States President Donald Trump has announced a temporary pause to “Project Freedom,” the operation activated over the weekend to safeguard commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and protect vessels from alleged Iranian attacks in the strategic waterway.

In a post on his Truth Social account on Wednesday, Trump said the decision followed requests from Pakistan and other countries, as well as what he described as “great progress” toward a “complete and final agreement” with representatives of Iran.

Part of the president’s statement read:

“Based on the request of Pakistan and other Countries, the tremendous Military Success that we have had during the Campaign against the Country of Iran and, additionally, the fact that Great Progress has been made toward a Complete and Final Agreement with Representatives of Iran, we have mutually agreed that, while the Blockade will remain in full force and effect, Project Freedom (The Movement of Ships through the Strait of Hormuz) will be paused for a short period of time to see whether or not the Agreement can be finalized and signed.”

The standoff in the Strait of Hormuz has remained a major flashpoint in the confrontation between the United States and Iran, with both countries trading accusations over military activities in the Gulf region.

Speaking on Tuesday, U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said American naval assets and commercial vessels had continued to transit the Strait safely despite heightened tensions. Iranian authorities, however, disputed the claim and reportedly issued a fresh navigation directive for vessels operating in the area.

Iran has also resumed the launch of projectiles toward parts of the Gulf in the last two days, although Hegseth maintained that the incidents did not signal the collapse of the ceasefire efforts, insisting that diplomatic engagements to end the conflict were ongoing.

Trump, while speaking to reporters on Tuesday, reiterated Washington’s opposition to Iran possessing nuclear weapons, warning that the United States was prepared to take further action if necessary.

“We’ll never let Iran have nuclear weapons. We have to make a journey down to Iran to take the nuclear weapon. These are sick people,” the president said.