US President Donald Trump has paused a key military operation in the Strait of Hormuz, signalling potential progress toward a ceasefire agreement with Iran, as officials insist the conflict’s offensive phase is over.
Announcing the move, Trump said “great progress” had been made toward a peace deal, adding the decision followed requests from international partners.
“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 finalised and signed,” he wrote.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed the shift in strategy, declaring: “The operation is over. Epic Fury, as the President notified congress, we’re done with that stage of it.
“We’re now on to this Project Freedom,” he said, referring to efforts to guide merchant vessels safely through the strait.
Despite the pause, US officials stressed the ceasefire remains fragile. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said it was “still in effect” even as Iran has launched attacks below the threshold of full-scale conflict.
“We said we would defend and defend aggressively, and we absolutely have,” he said.
“The president is going to make a decision whether anything were to escalate into a violation of a ceasefire… we would urge Iran to be prudent… This is about the straits. This is about freedom of navigation.”
General Dan Caine reported Iran had “fired at commercial vessels nine times and seized two container ships, and they’ve attacked US forces more than 10 times” since the ceasefire began, describing the incidents as “low, harassing fire.”
Trump, who has repeatedly downplayed the conflict, described it as “a little skirmish” and urged Tehran to finalise an agreement.
“They should do the smart thing, because we don’t want to go in and kill people. Really don’t,” he said.
“I don’t want to, it’s too tough.”
Tensions remain high across the region, with the United Arab Emirates reporting missile and drone attacks allegedly launched from Iran, claims Tehran has denied as “completely unfounded.”
The developments come as global markets react to uncertainty around the ceasefire, with oil prices easing and equities rising amid cautious optimism that a broader agreement may be within reach.
Source: The Advertiser.
