Trump Pauses Project Freedom in Strait of Hormuz Amid Progress on Iran Agreement

Trump stated that the U.S. has mutually agreed with Iran to pause Project Freedom, the mission to guide ships through the Strait of Hormuz, for a short period to determine if an agreement can be finalized and signed. The blockade on the strait remains in full force, according to the president's post on Truth Social.

This move came at the request of Pakistan and other countries, following what Trump described as tremendous military success during the campaign against Iran. The pause was announced just 48 hours after Project Freedom's launch, which involved U.S. guided-missile destroyers, over 100 aircraft, unmanned platforms, and 15,000 service members to protect stranded vessels.

U.S. Central Command had confirmed the operation's defensive nature, with Admiral Brad Cooper noting that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps launched multiple cruise missiles, drones, and small boats at protected ships. Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized that the U.S. would respond if fired upon but preferred a path to peace.

and Ceasefire Calls Chinese Foreign

Minister Wang Yi met with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Beijing, marking Araghchi's first visit to China since the war began on February 28. Wang expressed that China was deeply distressed by the conflict, which has lasted more than two months, and urged a comprehensive ceasefire along with commitment to dialogue and negotiations.

Araghchi stated that the political crisis cannot be solved militarily, according to Xinhua. " — Wang Yi, May 6, 2026 (The Independent) The meeting occurred days ahead of Trump's planned high-stakes visit to the region, as reported by multiple outlets.

Iranian state media portrayed the pause as a U.S. retreat after continued failures, while U.S. officials described it as a step toward a complete and final agreement.

Prior to the pause, Iran responded to Project Freedom by declaring a new control area in the strait and resuming limited strikes on shipping and Gulf neighbors. U.S. forces shot down seven Iranian boats after Tehran attacked a South Korean vessel, with Trump noting that American helicopters took down the small boats.

Oil futures fell following Trump's announcement, as markets reacted to the potential de-escalation in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for global energy supplies.

Background on the Conflict The war involving Iran, the U.S., and Israel erupted on February 28, leading to the strait's closure and stranding more than 23,000 sailors aboard ships from nearly 90 countries, per White House estimates. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth accused Iran of harassing ships for too long in the strait.

The initial offensive stage, Operation Epic Fury, concluded after achieving all objectives, as confirmed by Rubio. Iran's parliamentary speaker Mohammad Ghalibaf stated that the continuation of the status quo is intolerable for America, while Iran is just getting started.

Shipping firms have questioned the safety of transit despite U.S. efforts, with reports of a U.S. warship being hit by Iran, though U.S. Central Command denied claims of a missile strike on a Navy frigate. " — President Trump, May 5, 2026 (Truth Social) The pause aims to avoid further escalation, even as Iran launched attacks on the United Arab Emirates, injuring three people, in response to the project's start.

U.S. officials countered Iranian media reports of strikes on American vessels, calling them categorically false.