US Operation in Strait of Hormuz Temporarily Paused
The United States operation to escort stranded vessels through the Strait of Hormuz will be paused for a "short period of time," President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday evening.
Trump stated that "Project Freedom," which had commenced just a day earlier, would be halted by "mutual agreement" due to "Great Progress" toward a deal with Iran.
Iranian state media described the pause as a victory, asserting that it demonstrated Trump "retreated" after "continued failures" to reopen the critical waterway for global shipping.
Context and Reactions
The US president's announcement coincided with Secretary of State Marco Rubio's statement that the initial US-Israeli offensive in Iran, known as Operation Epic Fury, had concluded after meeting its objectives.
In a social media post, Trump mentioned that his decision was "based on the request of Pakistan," which has served as an intermediary between the US and Iran. He also emphasized that the US blockade of Iranian ports would remain in effect.
This announcement may come as a surprise to some, as it contrasts with earlier messaging from Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine, all of whom had pledged that the operation would guarantee freedom of navigation and commerce in the Strait of Hormuz and the Persian Gulf.
"We would prefer the path of peace. What the president [Donald Trump] would prefer is a deal," Rubio told reporters on Tuesday.
Uncertainty Over Future Developments
The next steps remain unclear. The administration had emphasized that Project Freedom was a "separate and distinct" campaign from the blockade, which aims to exert economic pressure on Iran.
Project Freedom was intended to facilitate the resumption of oil flow from the region and support the global economy's return to normalcy. However, if during the pause, global shipping companies and their insurers face interference from Iran, it will challenge Trump's claim that the objective has been met.
Conversely, the administration may hope that suspending Project Freedom—strongly opposed by Iran—will encourage Tehran to return to negotiations.
Recent Tensions in the Strait of Hormuz
Rubio's remarks earlier in the day followed a series of attacks in the Strait of Hormuz, raising concerns that the ceasefire between the US and Iran was at risk. The US had stated its intention to guide stranded ships out of the Gulf through the mostly closed waterway.
Tehran did not respond to Rubio's statement. However, Iran's parliamentary speaker Mohammad Ghalibaf commented earlier, saying:
"We know well that the continuation of the status quo is intolerable for America, while we are just getting started."
Ghalibaf, who was Iran's chief negotiator in last month's talks with the US, added:
"Shipping security and energy transit have been jeopardised by the US and its allies with the ceasefire violations and blockade. However, their evil acts will fail."
Recent Incidents and Regional Responses
Late Tuesday, the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported that a verified source informed them a cargo vessel was struck "by an unknown projectile" in the Strait of Hormuz. Additional details were not immediately available.
Earlier on Tuesday, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) stated its air defenses were engaging missiles and drones from Iran for a second consecutive day. On Monday, the UAE accused Iran of launching missiles and drones, including an attack on an oil port in the emirate of Fujairah, located outside the Strait of Hormuz, describing it as a "dangerous escalation."
Iran denied launching any attacks on the UAE, with a military spokesman stating:
"If such an action had been taken, we would have announced it firmly and clearly."
Background on Operation Epic Fury and Ceasefire
Operation Epic Fury began on 28 February when the US and Israel launched a series of air strikes on Iran. In response, Tehran blocked the critical waterway through which approximately 20% of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas typically transit.
In early April, the US and Iran announced a ceasefire under which Iran ceased its drone and missile strikes on Gulf countries, including the UAE. Despite this, few vessels have been able to transit the strait since. The US also imposed its own blockade on Iranian ports.
On Monday, the US claimed it had attacked seven Iranian fast boats in the strait, while Iran stated it fired warning shots at a US vessel. Both sides denied the other's claims. Two commercial ships reported attacks, and one reported successfully exiting the strait under US military escort, as part of Trump's plan to reopen the strait.
US Officials' Statements on the Situation
Speaking at the White House, Rubio acknowledged that while Trump desired a deal,
"That is so far not the route that Iran has chosen,"
adding,
"What that may lead to in the future is speculative."
He noted that US and Israeli attacks had inflicted "generational destruction to their economy" and urged Iran's leaders to "check themselves before they wreck themselves in the direction that they're going."
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated that the ceasefire with Iran was "not over."
"Right now the ceasefire certainly holds, but we're going to be watching very, very closely,"
Hegseth said during a press conference on Tuesday.
Gen. Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, remarked that although Iran had attacked US forces ten times since the ceasefire began, these attacks were "below the threshold" for resuming full-scale fighting "at this point."
When reporters asked Trump what would constitute a breach of the ceasefire by Iran, he responded,
"You'll find out because I'll let you know."
He also expressed belief that a negotiated settlement with Iran to end the conflict remained possible.
US Approach and International Engagement
The varied statements from American officials indicate that the US currently has limited appetite for returning to full-scale military operations, which could further destabilize markets, cause price spikes, and face domestic opposition.
Trump also mentioned ongoing discussions with Japan regarding the strait's reopening and anticipated a positive conversation with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the matter during his upcoming visit to China next week.
