President Donald Trump announced Tuesday evening that the United States will pause its maritime escort operation known as Project Freedom, while maintaining a naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz, as diplomatic efforts with Iran continue and regional tensions remain high.
The president said the decision followed international appeals, stating, “Based on the request of Pakistan and other Countries”, and cited what he described as progress toward a broader agreement with Tehran. In his Truth Social post, Trump emphasized that while the escort mission is temporarily halted, the blockade will remain active. He added that “Project Freedom (The Movement of Ships through the Strait of Hormuz) will be paused for a short period of time” as negotiations proceed.
The pause comes after several days of escalating military activity in the region. Iranian armed forces have launched drones and missiles at U.S. military assets, while the U.S. military has responded with strikes that reportedly sank six Iranian small boats. The Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping route, has remained a focal point of the confrontation.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said earlier Tuesday that the fragile ceasefire between the United States and Iran is still holding. He described Project Freedom as a temporary defensive measure designed to restore maritime traffic through the strait, which has been heavily disrupted in recent weeks. Hegseth also stressed operational separation between missions, saying, “This is separate and distinct from Operation Epic Fury.”
Secretary of State Marco Rubio, speaking from the White House, confirmed that Operation Epic Fury has concluded. He sharply criticized Iranian leadership, referring to “insane in the brain” leaders, and warned against further escalation. Rubio also underscored the defensive nature of U.S. actions, saying, “This is not an offensive operation. This is a defensive operation.”
Military officials say Project Freedom involved U.S. Navy destroyers, air and land assets, and roughly 15,000 sailors deployed under U.S. Central Command. According to officials, two U.S. commercial vessels have already successfully transited the strait under escort.
Gen. Dan Caine, chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said more than 1,500 vessels and roughly 22,500 mariners remain affected by disruptions in the Persian Gulf region. He added that U.S. forces have established an enhanced security zone to deter further attacks on commercial shipping.
