WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump announced a temporary suspension of Project Freedom, the American military operation ensuring safe passage for commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, citing requests from Pakistan and other nations and progress in negotiations with Iran.
President Trump stated in a post on his Truth Social, a social media platform that the temporary suspension was made after a lot of success in the US military operations in the face of Iranian threats and after making much progress towards a full agreement with the representatives of Iran.
“After much coordination and in line with the request by Pakistan and others, the United States shall temporarily suspend Project Freedom,” President Trump said. “This is an operation that has guaranteed the safety of ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, but now, there may be a time for reaching an agreement with Iran.”
However, Trump noted that the maritime blockade at the Strait of Hormuz shall continue being enforced during the suspension period.
Project Freedom, initiated to safeguard commercial vessels from any form of aggression from the Iranians, has been an important part of the United States’ strategy to secure the most important shipping lanes in the world. According to experts, the decision to suspend operations is a product of diplomacy and flexibility, allowing the US to explore the possibility of reaching an agreement with Iran.
Rubio: No country can control the Strait of Hormuz
Earlier, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has accused Iran of committing a crime in the Strait of Hormuz, asserting that no single country should dominate the strategically important international waterway.
Speaking during a press conference held in Washington, Rubio expressed concern for the welfare of sailors trapped on board ships in the Strait. The US official pointed out that there are 23,000 people stranded in the Persian Gulf, who would benefit from President Trump’s Project Freedom aimed at guaranteeing their safety when passing through the region.
“The project is a very necessary one that needs to be accomplished to restore the Strait of Hormuz back to its original state. This is an international route and no country can claim it,” Rubio declared.
The US Secretary of State assured that this project is not meant to make any attacks but to maintain peace. He added that Iranian ships obstructing commercial ships cannot be permitted to commit crimes.
Rubio also mentioned Operation Economic Epic Fury, stating that pressure on Iran will continue, and US sanctions have inflicted significant financial losses on Tehran. “No country will be allowed to impose a toll in the Strait of Hormuz,” he added.
He called on Iran to comply with international demands, describing the regime as fully defeated and urging it to make decisions in the best interest of its people. Rubio emphasized that while no formal agreement has been reached yet, diplomatic solutions are a priority, and the US team is actively working toward them.
“President Trump is concerned for the Iranian people, who have suffered under decades of oppressive rule. Our goal is to ensure that citizens have the capacity to challenge the regime,” Rubio concluded.
