US President Donald Trump delivers remarks to the United Nations General Assembly at the UN headquarters in New York City on September 23, 2025. (Photo by ANGELA WEISS / AFP)
President Donald Trump has announced a temporary pause in a US military operation aimed at guiding commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, citing progress in negotiations with Iran.
The initiative, known as “Project Freedom”, was launched days earlier to escort stranded ships and restore the flow of oil through the strategic waterway, which carries a significant share of global energy supplies.
In a statement posted on social media, Trump said the decision to halt the operation was reached by “mutual agreement” and followed requests from countries including Pakistan, which has acted as an intermediary in talks between Washington and Tehran.
He added that while the escort operation would be paused for a “short period”, a broader US blockade of Iranian ports would remain in place.
Iranian state media portrayed the move as a retreat by Washington, describing it as evidence of failure to reopen the route for international shipping.
The announcement came hours after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the offensive phase of the conflict with Iran known as Operation Epic Fury had ended after achieving its objectives.
Despite the pause, uncertainty remains over the safety of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. Recent incidents, including reported attacks on vessels and rising tensions in the Gulf, have continued to disrupt shipping activity.
A UK maritime monitoring body said a cargo ship had been struck by an “unknown projectile” in the strait, although details were limited.
Meanwhile, regional tensions have persisted. The United Arab Emirates reported intercepting missiles and drones for a second consecutive day, allegations Iran has denied.
The Strait of Hormuz remains a critical chokepoint for global trade, with around a fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas passing through it. Any disruption has immediate implications for global markets.
US officials have said the pause in “Project Freedom” could help bring Iran back to the negotiating table. However, analysts note that if shipping companies remain wary of operating in the area, it may be difficult for Washington to claim success in restoring normal trade flows.
Trump has said he remains open to a negotiated settlement and expects further discussions with international partners, including China and Japan, in the coming days.
Erizia Rubyjeana
