President Donald Trump announced Tuesday that “Project Freedom,” the U.S. military operation aimed at securing ship movement through the Strait of Hormuz, will be temporarily paused as negotiations with Iran appear to gain momentum.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said the decision followed requests from Pakistan and several allied nations, along with what he described as major military gains against Iran and progress toward a possible agreement.
“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 announcement came amid growing international concern over instability in the Persian Gulf and threats to one of the world’s most important shipping routes.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei confirmed Wednesday that Tehran is reviewing a proposal from the United States regarding the ongoing conflict.
Speaking to the ISNA news agency, Baghaei said Iranian leaders are still evaluating the proposal and will later communicate their response through Pakistani mediators. Specific details of the proposal were not immediately released.
Trump later expanded on the negotiations in another Truth Social post Wednesday, saying the operation could end entirely if Iran accepts the terms being discussed.
“Assuming Iran agrees to give what has been agreed to, which is, perhaps, a big assumption, the already legendary Epic Fury will be at an end, and the highly effective Blockade will allow the Hormuz Strait to be OPEN TO ALL, including Iran,” Trump wrote.
He also issued a blunt warning if talks collapse.
“If they don’t agree, the bombing starts, and it will be, sadly, at a much higher level and intensity than it was before,” Trump said.
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who has played a key role in mediation efforts between Washington and Tehran, praised Trump’s decision to temporarily halt the operation.
“I am grateful to President Donald Trump for his courageous leadership and timely announcement regarding the pause in Project Freedom in the Strait of Hormuz,” Sharif wrote on X Wednesday.
Sharif also credited Saudi Arabia for helping push diplomatic efforts forward.
“President Trump’s gracious response to the request made by Pakistan and other brotherly countries, particularly the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and my dear brother Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia H.R.H Prince Mohammed bin Salman, will go a long way towards advancing regional peace, stability and reconciliation during this sensitive period,” he said.
“Pakistan remains firmly committed to supporting all efforts that promote restraint and a peaceful resolution of conflicts through dialogue and diplomacy. We are very hopeful that the current momentum will lead to a lasting agreement that secures durable peace and stability for the region and beyond,” Sharif added.
Trump initially launched Project Freedom to reopen the Strait of Hormuz after escalating tensions and threats to commercial shipping in the region. The narrow waterway is considered one of the world’s most critical energy corridors, with a significant portion of global oil shipments passing through it each day.
For now, the blockade remains in place while negotiations continue, leaving the possibility of either a diplomatic breakthrough or renewed military escalation hanging over the region.
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