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President Donald Trump said Tuesday that the United States is pausing its military effort to escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz after just one day, noting progress in negotiations with Iran to end the ongoing conflict.
The operation, known as “Project Freedom,” began Monday and was aimed at guiding commercial vessels safely through the strategic waterway. But the president said the mission would be temporarily halted at the request of Pakistan and other mediators involved in the talks.
“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,” President Trump wrote on Truth Social.
The U.S. continues to enforce a naval blockade on Iran as part of efforts to pressure Tehran into a broader agreement. The Strait of Hormuz, a key global shipping route, has been at the center of rising tensions, with recent clashes involving U.S. and Iranian forces.
Marco Rubio said earlier Tuesday that the United States has concluded its offensive campaign against Iran, known as “Operation Epic Fury,” and is now focused on defensive operations.
“The operation is over — Epic Fury — as the president notified Congress. We’re done with that stage of it,” Rubio told reporters at the White House.
Rubio said current military actions in the region are intended to protect shipping lanes rather than expand the conflict.
“This is not an offensive operation; this is a defensive operation,” he said. “And what that means is very simple — there’s no shooting unless we’re shot at first.”
The conflict began Feb. 28, when the United States and Israel launched strikes against Iran targeting military and economic sites. Iran has since responded with missile and drone attacks across the region.
President Trump announced a ceasefire on April 8, which has been extended as negotiations continue, though a final agreement has not yet been reached.
Rubio said the U.S. believes it has achieved its primary objectives in the conflict but emphasized that a diplomatic resolution remains the preferred outcome.