Donald Trump Pauses Project Freedom, Keeps Blockade of Iranian Ports in Place

President Donald Trump said the U.S. would pause “Project Freedom,” the effort to guide ships through the Strait of Hormuz, while keeping the blockade of Iranian ports in place. In a Truth Social post, Trump wrote that the pause was based on “the request of Pakistan and other Countries” and “Great Progress” toward “a Complete and Final Agreement” with Iran. CBS News reported that traffic through the Strait of Hormuz was “almost nonexistent” in the 48 hours after Trump announced the beginning of Project Freedom, citing the U.K. navy’s Maritime Trade Operations Center and analysis from Lloyd’s List Intelligence. The CBS report also said the UKMTO recorded just 11 transits on May 3 and 4, down from a historical average of about 138 per day, after the U.S. military helped two vessels transit the strait during the operation’s first day.

“Islamabad, Pakistan – On Monday morning, the United States Navy began escorting commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz”

Al Jazeera

Trump warned that “the bombing starts” again if Iran does not agree to a peace deal, and he said it would be at a “higher level and intensity than it was before.” CNN reported that the U.S. would pause Project Freedom but maintain its blockade of Iranian ports, while the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps Navy said safe passage was possible under “new procedures” following the pause, according to Iranian media. Al Jazeera framed the question as whether the U.S. had accepted Iran’s demand to settle Hormuz first, nuclear later, citing a shift toward a memorandum of understanding and reporting that the U.S. and Iran were close to agreeing to a one-page MoU. In Islamabad, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif responded to Trump’s announcement by writing on social media that Pakistan was “very hopeful that the current momentum will lead to a lasting agreement that secures durable peace and stability for the region and beyond.”

The pause set up a diplomatic push that multiple outlets described as moving toward a memorandum of understanding, even as the conflict continued to shape navigation and prices. DW reported that Trump said Hormuz will open if a deal is reached, repeating that “the already legendary Epic Fury will be at an end” and that the “Blockade will allow the Hormuz Strait to be OPEN TO ALL, including Iran.” NPR reported that Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met with his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, in Beijing, and that it was the first time since the start of the war that Araghchi had traveled to China. NPR also said the effective closure of the strait had sent fuel prices “skyrocketing” and rattled the global economy, while Rubio told reporters that “At least 10 sailors have already died as a result” of Iran’s blockade.

“What to know about the Iran war today: - President Trump threatened Iran on Wednesday with "higher level" military strikes if it doesn't accept a peace deal, but he says it's "too soon" for new direct talks with Iranian officials in Pakistan after reporting "great progress" in negotiations to end the war”

CBS News