Trump suspends “Project Freedom” in the Strait of Hormuz: “Progress towards a deal with Iran”

In a surprising move, U.S. President Donald Trump has announced the temporary suspension of Operation Project Freedom, the American military mission launched on Sunday to guarantee the freedom of commercial navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.

The announcement came via a post on the Truth Social platform, where Trump explained the reasons for the pause: “At the request of Pakistan and other countries, and in light of the great military success achieved during the campaign against Iran and the significant progress made toward a comprehensive and final agreement with Iranian representatives, we have agreed to suspend Project Freedom, specifically the transit of ships through the Strait of Hormuz, for a short period to see if the agreement can be finalized and signed.” The President specified that the naval blockade will nevertheless remain in full force.

A week of high tension

Project Freedom was launched on Sunday with assertive tones: Trump had promised to escort commercial vessels through the Strait, openly challenging the Iranian claim of making any transit subject to its prior authorization. Two American merchant ships had already crossed the corridor under military escort, in what Washington presented as an unequivocal sign of its determination.

The crisis dates back to February 28, when the United States and Israel launched a military operation against Iran, triggering retaliation from Tehran and the paralysis of maritime traffic in the Strait. A ceasefire came into effect on April 8 thanks to Pakistani mediation, but the Islamabad talks failed to produce a lasting agreement. Trump then extended the truce without setting a deadline. Since April 13, the American Navy had imposed a naval blockade on Iranian maritime traffic in the strategic waterway.

Pakistan: “Hoping for lasting peace”

The suspension of Project Freedom was welcomed with optimism by Islamabad. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said he is “very confident” that the current “diplomatic momentum can lead to a lasting agreement between the United States and Iran, capable of ensuring stable peace for the region.”

Iran responds with its own control system

While Washington announced the pause, Tehran was moving its pieces on an operational level. Iran has introduced a new mechanism for managing transits through the Strait, managed by the newly formed Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA). Ships intending to cross the corridor receive a communication via email containing transit regulations and are required to accept them before obtaining the relative permit.

Photo thewhitehouse.gov