Trump Pauses ‘Project Freedom’ in Hope of Deal With Iran

President Donald Trump said the U.S. would pause, just one day after launch, its mission to guide ships through the Strait of Hormuz, in order for peace negotiations with Iran to continue.

The so-called “Project Freedom” oversaw the transit of two commercial vessels out of the Strait on Monday, though it coincided with fresh attacks between the warring countries amid a tenuous cease-fire. The U.S.-Iran cease-fire was set to last for two weeks beginning April 8, but it was extended indefinitely on April 21. Iran had previously said that U.S. interference in the Strait would be considered a cease-fire violation. 

Iran militarized the Strait in early March in retaliation for the U.S. and Israel launching the war and has allowed only vessels with its permission to pass through. The restriction of shipping through the Strait has led to surging oil and gas prices and higher costs of other commodities around the world which could persist especially as Iran wants to continue managing the Strait after the war. More than 20,000 sailors aboard around 1,600 vessels are trapped in the region. At least 10 sailors have been killed since the start of the war, according to the International Maritime Organization.

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“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,” Trump posted on Truth Social on Tuesday.

Trump’s announcement comes after a suspected Iranian attack damaged a South Korean cargo ship and the U.S. military said it sank seven Iranian patrol boats. The United Arab Emirates and Oman also reported alleged Iranian strikes on their territory on Monday, and the U.A.E. said it intercepted more attacks on Tuesday. Iranian state media rejected U.S. claims that it had destroyed Iranian boats and aided two ships in crossing the Strait. Instead, Iran accused the U.S. of attacking passenger vessels and killing five civilians in the Strait. Iran said its forces had fired “warning shots” at U.S. vessels in the Strait. Iran did not publicly confirm that it had attacked the South Korean ship or Oman. Iran also denied attacking the U.A.E. but warned that if the U.A.E. takes “any action against Iranian islands and ports based on its false statements, it will face a severe and crushing response from the Iranian Armed Forces.”

Trump ‘wants a deal’

Trump officials appear keen to avoid further escalation with Iran that would deepen U.S. involvement in the Middle East. On Tuesday, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said that the cease-fire is “not over,” while Secretary of State Marco Rubio declared that the two-month-long military offensive dubbed Operation Epic Fury had concluded. Rubio said the U.S. had now shifted to a “defensive” position aimed at restoring shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.

Earlier on Tuesday, Trump refused to say what Iranian actions would be considered a cease-fire violation. They “know what to do,” he said, “and they know what not to do, more importantly.” On Monday, Trump reportedly said Iran would be “blown off the face of the Earth” if it attacked U.S. ships, echoing his earlier threats to wipe out a “whole civilization” if Iran did not open the Strait.

It’s unclear whether the U.S. has any other plans to reopen the Strait while “Project Freedom” is paused, although Trump has said the weekslong naval blockade of Iranian ports will continue. The blockade has dealt a blow to Iran’s energy exports, which are critical to its economy that had already been flagging before the war. Millions of Iranians are struggling with soaring inflation and lost income as jobs are cut or put on pause.

“Project Freedom” reportedly replaced an earlier, more aggressive plan to reopen the Strait. Officials told Axios that Trump had considered a plan to send naval vessels to forcefully open the Strait and resume the war with full force if Iran retaliated against Gulf countries, as it appears to have done. But at the last minute Trump opted for what officials described as a defensive “humanitarian” mission to “guide” commercial vessels by stationing U.S. Navy ships “in the vicinity,” rather than directly escorting vessels through the Strait.

“The president wants action. He doesn’t want to sit still. He wants pressure. He wants a deal,” an American official told Axios.

The U.S. and Iran have been engaged in indirect negotiations since a first round of marathon talks failed and a second in-person meeting stalled. Several sticking points remain, including the U.S. demand that Iran abandon its nuclear program and Iran’s insistence on maintaining control over the Strait. Iran previously cited Israel’s continued attacks on Lebanon as one reason for keeping the Strait closed.

Although Trump has signaled progress in talks, U.S. officials told Axios things could go either way.

“There are talks. There are offers. We don’t like theirs. They don’t like ours. We still don’t know the status of the [Supreme Leader]. And they’re carrying messages by hand to caves or wherever he or whoever is hiding. It slows the process down,” an official said. “It’s either we’re looking at the real contours of an achievable deal soon, or he’s going to bomb the hell out of them.”