Iran-US war latest: Trump pauses operation to escort ships through Strait of Hormuz after talks with Tehran
US President Donald Trump has announced he will pause his plan to escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz, citing “great progress” toward a deal to end the war with Iran.
Trump said the decision to pause “Project Freedom” was “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”.
The president wrote on Truth Social Tuesday evening, Washington time, that Project Freedom would be paused “for a short period of time to see whether or not the Agreement can be finalized and signed.”
The US naval blockade of Iranian ports will remain in effect, according to Trump.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio condemned Iran for effectively closing the Strait of Hormuz, a key oil passageway, during the war.
“If no shots are fired at these ships, no shots are fired at us, [then] we’re not firing shots. But if we’re fired on, we will respond, and we will respond with lethal efficiency,” he told reporters at the White House Tuesday.
