Trump: ‘Project Freedom’ On Hold Amid Iran Talks

President Donald Trump says he is putting on pause his “Project Freedom” operation to restore commerce in the Strait of Hormuz, instead seeking to finalize a deal with Iranian officials for longer term stability in the global shipping lane.

Citing as his motivation “Great Progress” in talks with Iran, Trump wrote on Truth Social on Tuesday, “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’s remarks came shortly after Secretary of War Pete Hegseth had laid out the Project Freedom operation to the public, declaring Iran’s attempt to shut down the global shipping lane blunted.

Hegseth had attempted to draw a distinction on Monday between the previous hostilities of Epic Fury, and the Project Freedom operations in the strait.

The secretary argued that the ceasefire with Iran continues, despite the United States’ sinking of Iranian vessels in the strait and Iranian strikes on the United Arab Emirates.

On Wednesday morning, Trump urged Iran to accept the American offer as a path to ending the conflict.

“Assuming Iran agrees to give what has been agreed to, which is, perhaps, a big assumption, the already legendary Epic Fury will be at an end, and the highly effective Blockade will allow the Hormuz Strait to be OPEN TO ALL, including Iran,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

“If they don’t agree, the bombing starts, and it will be, sadly, at a much higher level and intensity than it was before,” he added.

On Tuesday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters that the United States is seeking an assurance of Iran’s willingness to make concessions. The administration has declared its desire to prevent Iran from being able to obtain a nuclear weapon.

“This is highly complex and technical,” said Rubio. “But we have to have a diplomatic solution that is very clear on the topics they are willing to negotiate on and the extent of the concessions they are willing to make at the front end in order to make it worthwhile.”