US President Donald Trump on Tuesday said that "Project Freedom," the initiative to secure shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, will be paused "for a short period of time" to see whether an agreement with Iran can be finalized and signed.
Since the start of hostilities between the United States, Israel and Iran in late February, Tehran has effectively halted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz through threats and attacks, while Washington has imposed a naval blockade on vessels entering or leaving Iranian ports.
Trump said in a post on his Truth Social platform that "while the [US] 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 said the decision was made "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."
Talks between Iran and the United States on turning a truce, which began on April 8, into a permanent agreement have stalled amid deep differences over Iran’s nuclear ambitions and control of the Strait of Hormuz.
