U.S. President Donald Trump has announced that, at the request of Pakistan and several other countries, Iran and the United States have agreed to temporarily suspend “Project Freedom.”
In a statement issued on his social media platform Truth Social, President Trump said that the decision was made due to significant military success in the ongoing campaign against Iran, as well as progress toward a potential final agreement with Iranian representatives. According to him, the move is intended to reduce tensions and create space for a diplomatic resolution.
President Trump explained that after mutual consultations, it was decided that while the blockade in the Strait of Hormuz would remain fully in place, “Project Freedom”—under which security was being provided to commercial shipping—would be paused for a short period. He added that the primary objective of this pause is to assess whether ongoing negotiations with Iran can be finalized into a formal agreement.
“Project Freedom” was designed to ensure the safety of global commercial vessels and their crews, particularly in the strategically critical Strait of Hormuz, through which a significant portion of global trade passes. Under the initiative, the United States had taken strict measures, including targeting Iranian fast boats that were deemed a threat by U.S. officials.
President Trump also warned Iran that any attempt to interfere with U.S. vessels or relief operations would lead to serious consequences. The project had been launched after Iran rejected new proposals related to ending the conflict, which further escalated tensions in the region.
Recent developments are being viewed in diplomatic circles as a significant turning point, where military pressure is being maintained alongside efforts to resolve the conflict through negotiations. Pakistan and other countries’ mediation efforts are also being seen as playing an important role in this decision.