US President Donald Trump on Tuesday said he was halting ‘Project Freedom’ as Washington seeks to secure a broader agreement with Iran to end the ongoing Middle East conflict. He also cited requests from Pakistan and other countries for the move.The operation is an US military-backed initiative launched just a day earlier to escort and help stranded commercial ships exit the Strait of Hormuz.Announcing the decision on Truth Social Trump wrote: “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.“ Despite the pause, the United States will continue its blockade of Iranian ports as part of efforts to pressure Tehran into a deal to end the conflict that began after US-Israeli strikes on February 28.

What is Project Freedom?

‘Project Freedom’ was announced by Trump as a US-led initiative to assist commercial vessels stranded in the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical maritime chokepoints amid rising hostilities.The plan aimed to guide ships belonging to countries not directly involved in the conflict safely out of the region, with US naval and air assets creating a protective corridor. Trump had described it as a ‘humanitarian gesture’ to help ships and crews facing shortages of food and essential supplies, while also ensuring global trade flows were not severely disrupted.However, the operation also led to heightened tensions, with the US claiming it had sunk several Iranian boats accused of threatening shipping, while reports emerged of attacks on civilian vessels in the region.Earlier in the day, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington had completed its offensive phase against Iran, known as ‘Operation Epic Fury’.“The operation is over — Epic Fury — as the president notified Congress. We’re done with that stage of it,” Rubio said.He added that US actions in the Strait were defensive: “This is not an offensive operation; this is a defensive operation… there’s no shooting unless we’re shot at first.”Rubio said the United States has achieved the objectives of the war but stressed that Washington still prefers a negotiated agreement with Iran, even as tensions remain high in the region.