US President Donald Trump has paused the newly launched “Project Freedom” naval escort operation in the Strait of Hormuz, signalling a pivot towards diplomacy as talks with Iran edge towards what he called a potential “complete and final agreement”. In a social media post on Tuesday, Trump said the move followed requests from Pakistan and other countries, adding that the blockade would remain in place while the escort mission is suspended to allow negotiations to progress.
The decision marks a sharp reversal just hours after US officials promoted the operation as a key effort to restore limited commercial traffic through the vital waterway after weeks of disruption. Earlier in the day, Department of War Secretary Pete Hegseth said US Central Command and its partners were working with shipowners, operators and insurers to reassure them it was safe to leave the Gulf.
Military officials said more than 1,500 vessels and around 22,500 mariners remain in the region. Project Freedom had been designed to guide stranded ships through a protected corridor along Oman’s waters, but only two transits — both involving US-flagged vessels — have taken place so far.
Fresh security concerns persist. On Tuesday, the UK Maritime Trade Operations office reported a verified attack involving a cargo vessel struck by an unidentified projectile near the strait, underlining ongoing threats from missiles, drones and mines. While Washington maintains the strait is not formally closed, industry players say the combination of conflict, soaring insurance costs and repeated attacks has effectively shut down normal trade.
Trump’s announcement suggests mounting pressure to avoid further escalation, though no details have been released on the scope of any potential deal with Iran or how long the pause will last.