President Donald Trump’s plan to guide ships through the Strait of Hormuz, known as “Project Freedom,” is on pause a day after it started.
Trump made the announcement on Truth Social Tuesday night when he said the pause would last “a short period of time.” I’m the meantime, the U.S. will continued talks with Iran.
“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.
The break was announced one day after “Project Freedom” started on Monday.
On Sunday, Trump said the U.S. Navy would help “guide” ships of “neutral and innocent bystanders” safely through the Strait of Hormuz.
The start of “Project Freedom” was not that’s smooth as Iran attacked U.S.-escorted ships and U.S. Navy vessels, as well as launched strikes on the United Arab Emirates.
Trump told Fox News Chief Foreign Correspondent Trey Yingst “that if U.S. ships in the region are targeted, the Iranians will be blown off the face of the earth.”
Iran then directed more drones and missiles at the United Arab Emirates Tuesday.
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said during Tuesday’s Pentagon briefing the ceasefire was still on.
He added the U.S. operation in the Strait was “a direct gift to the world.”
“Iran’s plan, a form of international extortion, is unacceptable. That ends with ‘Project Freedom.’ Two U.S. commercial ships, along with American destroyers, have already safely transited the strait, showing the lane is clear,” Hegseth said. “As a direct gift from the United States to the world, we have established a powerful red, white and blue dome over the strait. American destroyers are on station, supported by hundreds of fighter jets, helicopters, drones and surveillance aircraft providing 24/7 overwatch for peaceful commercial vessels, except Iran’s of course.”
Secretary of State Marco Rubio echoed Hegseth’s words Tuesday, stating the initial U.S. military operation in Iran had ended and the conflict was in a new phase.
“The operation is over. Epic Fury, the president notified Congress. We’re done with that stage of it, OK?” he said. “We’re now on to this project of freedom.”
