Former President Donald Trump has declared a temporary suspension of ‘Project Freedom’, a U.S. initiative aimed at assisting ships stranded in the Strait of Hormuz, to facilitate ongoing negotiations with Iran. Despite this pause, he confirmed that the blockade on Iranian ports would remain enforced.
In a statement shared on social media, Trump indicated that the halt was intended to create an opportunity for U.S. officials to secure a resolution with Iran to conclude the ongoing conflict. He cited the requests from Pakistan and other nations, the significant military success achieved during operations against Iran, and noteworthy advancements towards a comprehensive agreement with Iranian representatives as reasons for his decision.
This announcement followed remarks from military leaders and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who affirmed that a ceasefire in the Middle East continues to hold, albeit with the conflict unresolved. Rubio stated that the main phase of the U.S. military operation against Iran has officially concluded, declaring, “The operation is over. Epic Fury – as the president notified Congress – we’re done with that stage of it.”
During a press briefing, Rubio emphasized that in order to achieve lasting peace, Iran must comply with Trump’s stipulations regarding its nuclear program and must agree to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial passage for global energy supplies. This comes as the United Arab Emirates reported being attacked by Iranian drones and missiles for a second consecutive day.
“We would prefer the path of peace,” Rubio remarked, expressing optimism that during Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi’s anticipated visit to China, Beijing would convey to Tehran the importance of ceasing its control over the Strait.
“It is in China’s interest that Iran stop closing the strait,” he added.
Earlier in the day, the Trump administration appeared focused on its mission to restore maritime traffic through the strait, which Rubio characterized as a defensive operation to assist the thousands of civilian sailors trapped there due to the ongoing conflict. “They’re sitting ducks, they’re isolated, they’re starving, they’re vulnerable,” Rubio noted.
On Monday, U.S. forces reported the establishment of a passage and the sinking of six small Iranian vessels that posed a threat to commercial shipping. To date, only two cargo ships are known to have successfully navigated the U.S.-secured route, while numerous others remain stranded in the Persian Gulf.
The effective closure of the Strait by Iran, a vital conduit for oil, gas, and other essential commodities, has significantly driven up fuel prices and unsettled the global economy. Disrupting Iran’s control over this route would undermine its primary leverage as Trump seeks substantial reductions in its controversial nuclear activities.
Earlier on Tuesday, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and General Dan Caine, the highest-ranking military officer in the U.S., addressed the media, stating that the recent Iranian attacks had not escalated to what Caine described as “major combat operations.” He characterized Tuesday as a relatively “quieter” day in the region.
“The ceasefire is not over,” Hegseth asserted.
Rubio reiterated that any confrontations with Iran concerning U.S. efforts to reopen the strait were purely “defensive.” He stated, “There’s no shooting unless we’re shot at first, OK? We’re not attacking them.”
In response, Iranian parliament speaker and chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf indicated that Iran has yet to fully react to U.S. initiatives aimed at reopening the waterway. “We know full well that the continuation of the status quo is intolerable for America; while we have not even begun yet,” he stated in a post on social media, avoiding any mention of negotiations with the U.S. that currently involve indirect communications through Pakistan.
Contradicting the U.S. assertion of sinking six Iranian boats, an Iranian military official claimed that two small civilian cargo vessels were struck on Monday, resulting in the deaths of five civilians, according to reports from Iran’s state media.
General Caine, who also serves as the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, stated that over 100 U.S. military aircraft are currently conducting patrols in the skies above the strait. Since April 13, the U.S. has maintained a naval blockade on Iranian ports, significantly restricting Tehran’s oil revenue critical for its struggling economy.
The Trump administration has referenced the ceasefire declared on April 8 in asserting that the president is not obligated to provide a formal update to Congress concerning military actions under the War Powers Resolution, which typically necessitates congressional approval for military operations within 60 days of initiation.
Hapag-Lloyd AG, one of the globe’s largest container shipping firms, released a statement indicating that its risk assessment has not changed and that current transits through the strait remain unfeasible for its vessels. Torbjorn Soltvedt, principal Middle East analyst at Verisk Maplecroft, remarked that shipping and insurance companies will have to closely monitor the situation as it unfolds.
