United States President Donald Trump said on Tuesday he would briefly pause a military-backed operation escorting commercial ships through the Strait of Hormuz, citing “great progress” toward a comprehensive agreement with Iran.
The move came hours after Secretary of State Marco Rubio detailed the effort, which began on Monday to guide stranded tankers out of the Gulf. The strait has remained largely shut since the conflict escalated, choking nearly 20 percent of global oil supplies and fueling a sharp energy crisis.
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In a post on Truth Social, Trump said the decision followed requests from Pakistan and other countries. “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,” he wrote.
There was no immediate response from Tehran, where officials have yet to publicly acknowledge the development.
Oil markets react, uncertainty lingers
Shortly after Trump’s remarks, US crude futures dropped by $2.30, slipping below the key $100 per barrel mark. Traders had closely watched this level since the conflict pushed energy prices sharply higher over the past two months.
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The White House did not clarify what progress negotiators had achieved or how long the pause would last. Analysts say even a temporary halt signals easing tensions in a region that handles one of the world’s most critical oil routes.
Iran has effectively sealed off the strait since the US and Israeli campaign began in late February. In response, Washington imposed a blockade on Iranian ports and launched escorted transits under what Trump dubbed “Project Freedom.” Iranian forces targeted some of these convoys, raising fears of renewed escalation.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards navy warned it would deliver a “firm response” if vessels deviated from approved routes. Meanwhile, Tehran’s chief negotiator said talks “had not even started yet,” despite the reported progress.
US declares military objectives achieved
Rubio told reporters at the White House that Washington had met its core military goals. “Operation Epic Fury is concluded,” he said. “We’re not cheering for an additional situation to occur.”
He stressed the mission was defensive. “This is not an offensive operation; this is a defensive operation,” Rubio said. “And what that means is very simple, there’s no shooting unless we’re shot at first.”
Rubio added that Iran now faces “real, catastrophic destruction to their economy,” while reiterating that Trump prefers a negotiated settlement.
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Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the US had secured a viable route through the waterway, with hundreds of commercial vessels waiting to transit. He noted the fragile ceasefire still holds.
General Dan Caine said Iranian attacks remained below the threshold for resuming major combat operations.
Asked what could break the truce, Trump replied, “They know what not to do.”
One of Washington’s main objectives remains preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons, a claim Tehran denies. However, Iran has yet to surrender more than 900 pounds of highly enriched uranium, keeping tensions high.
