United States President Donald Trump on Wednesday announced a temporary pause on “Project Freedom”, the US-backed maritime operation launched to help commercial ships move safely through the Strait of Hormuz, while maintaining that the broader blockade against Iran would remain in effect.
The move comes as Washington claims negotiations with Iranian representatives are showing signs of progress.
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In a statement posted on Truth Social, Trump said the decision followed requests from Pakistan and several other countries, and was aimed at creating space for diplomatic negotiations to move forward.
“Project Freedom”, unveiled just a day earlier, was designed to assist commercial vessels stranded in the high-risk waters of the Strait of Hormuz amid escalating tensions in the Gulf region.
Trump said that although maritime operations under the initiative would be paused for a short period, the blockade imposed on Iran would continue fully.
“Great progress has been made toward a Complete and Final Agreement with Representatives of Iran,” Trump wrote, adding that the temporary suspension would help determine whether an agreement could be “finalized and signed”.
Humanitarian mission paused amid diplomatic push
According to details shared by the US administration, “Project Freedom” involved military-backed escort operations intended to help neutral commercial ships safely navigate out of dangerous waters in the Gulf.
The initiative was framed largely as a humanitarian measure, with US officials claiming several vessels were stranded in the shipping corridor with limited food and essential supplies for crew members.
Strait of Hormuz remains critical global trade route
The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world’s most strategically critical maritime routes, handling a major share of global crude oil shipments. Escalating military tensions between the United States and Iran in recent weeks had disrupted commercial movement through the region and triggered concerns over global energy supplies.
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While announcing the pause, Trump made it clear that Washington’s pressure campaign against Tehran was not being rolled back.
The development comes amid renewed diplomatic efforts involving regional players, including Pakistan, to revive dialogue between the US and Iran after weeks of escalating rhetoric and military activity in the Gulf.
The White House has not yet specified how long the suspension of “Project Freedom” will remain in place.
