US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that the United States is temporarily stopping its naval mission that escorts ships through the Strait of Hormuz. The move comes as Washington tries to reach a possible agreement with Iran to end the conflict in the Middle East.
The naval mission, called ‘Project Freedom,’ started on Monday to help commercial ships pass safely through the important waterway. However, Trump said the operation will now pause for a short time after requests from Pakistan and other countries. He also said there has been “great progress” in talks with Iran.
Trump statement on ‘Project Freedom’
“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,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
Blockade on Iran will continue
Trump said the naval blockade on Iran will still continue. The blockade is meant to keep pressure on Iran while talks go on.
Rising tensions in the region
Tensions in the Strait of Hormuz have increased in recent days. US officials earlier said American forces destroyed several Iranian boats and reported attacks on civilian ships, blaming Iran. Iran has denied these claims.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said earlier that the US has finished the offensive part of its operations against Iran, known as “Operation Epic Fury.” He said the focus is now on protecting ships in the region.
Rubio explains current strategy
“The operation is over – Epic Fury – as the president notified Congress. We’re done with that stage of it,” Rubio told reporters at the White House.
He added that the recent clashes in the Strait were not part of the original military campaign.
Focus now on defense
Rubio also said, “This is not an offensive operation; this is a defensive operation,” explaining that US forces will only act if they are attacked.
He said the US believes it has ‘achieved the objectives’ of its campaign but added that Trump still prefers a peaceful agreement with Iran, even as economic pressure continues through the blockade.
