President Donald Trump has paused 'Project Freedom,' a US military initiative to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, just two days after its launch. The decision follows Iranian attacks on US warships and commercial vessels, threatening the fragile ceasefire.
The waterway-critical for 20% of the world’s oil and LNG-has been blocked since US and Israeli strikes on Iran in late February. US Central Command says 22,500 mariners on 1,550 vessels remain stranded in the Gulf.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claims it fired at 'American and Zionist enemy destroyers,' while the US reports sinking six Iranian boats targeting civilian ships. A tanker affiliated with UAE state oil firm ADNOC was also hit by drones.
Trump says the pause is at Pakistan’s request, to allow negotiations. He insists the ceasefire is not over. 'This is a separate and distinct project,' said Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
Iranian state media called the pause a 'retreat.' Experts warn a resumption of hostilities is likely. 'It’s a question of when, not if,' said former adviser Grant Rumley.