US President Donald Trump said the US military will temporarily pause “Project Freedom” — the military-backed plan to guide commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz — signalling a potential easing of tensions with Iran.
The announcement came just hours after Secretary of State Marco Rubio declared that US combat operations against Iran had ended, with Washington shifting focus to securing maritime passage through the strategic waterway.
In a social media post, Trump said the decision followed requests from Pakistan and other countries, as well as progress toward a possible agreement with Tehran.
“Based on the request of Pakistan and other Countries… and the fact that Great Progress has been made toward a Complete and Final Agreement with Representatives of Iran, we have mutually agreed that… Project Freedom… will be paused for a short period of time,” he said, adding that the blockade would remain in force.
There was no immediate official response from Iran. However, Iranian media outlet INSA described the move as a “US failure to achieve its objectives,” claiming Trump halted the operation following “firm positions and warnings from Iran.”
State-run Tasnim News Agency echoed the sentiment, posting on X that “Trump backs down.”
Separately, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met his Chinese counterpart in Beijing on Wednesday, according to China’s state news agency Xinhua, in a sign of continued diplomatic engagement.
Vessel hit
In a fresh sign of ongoing risk in the region, a cargo vessel transiting the Strait of Hormuz was struck by an unknown projectile early Wednesday, the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said, citing a verified source.
Oil falls
Oil prices declined for a second day on Wednesday on the hopes of a possible peace deal between the US and Iran.
Brent crude futures for July fell $1.52 to $108.35 per barrel, after dropping 4% in the previous session. US benchmark West Texas Intermediate futures for June declined $1.50 to $100.77, after closing down 3.9% the day before, a Reuters report said.
