U.S. Pauses ‘Project Freedom’ Ship Movement Through Strait of Hormuz After Pakistan Request

The United States has temporarily paused a newly launched initiative to guide ships through the Strait of Hormuz, just one day after announcing that American forces had cleared a route bypassing Iran’s effective closure of the vital shipping lane.

President Donald Trump announced the halt Tuesday evening, stating that the plan — dubbed Project Freedom — would be put on hold at the request of Pakistan and other nations. The president cited “great progress” toward a final agreement with Iran.

“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,” Trump said in a social media post.

The U.S.-led Joint Maritime Information Center had announced Monday that an “enhanced security area” was established for ships to navigate the strait through Omani waters. Adm. Brad Cooper, commander of U.S. Central Command, said the new passageway was clear of Iranian mines. Cooper also reported that Iran had launched missiles, drones, and small boats at civilian vessels under U.S. military protection, and that “each and every” threat had been defeated, with six Iranian small boats sunk.

National security analyst Hal Kempfer, a retired Marine intelligence officer, expressed caution about the pause, noting that Iran had issued detailed instructions earlier Tuesday on how it would allow ships to transit the strait — while still asserting claim or control over the waterway.

“Obviously, still claiming they control the Strait of Hormuz, which is a violation of international law,” Kempfer said. “There’s a cognitive disconnect here.”

Kempfer also pointed to a possible practical reason for the pause: “A lot of the maritime shippers said, ‘You’re not escorting our ships. You’re just guiding them. So we’re not going to go through the strait.’”

Earlier Tuesday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters that the major U.S. military operation against Iran — referred to as Epic Fury — was over, though he did not declare the conflict ended nor rule out its restart. Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Kaine said Iran’s recent acts of aggression remained below the threshold of major combat operations, meaning the ceasefire still holds.

Kempfer noted the political backdrop of the War Powers Act, which requires the president to seek congressional authorization after 60 days of conflict. “Friday was the deadline for 60 days into this conflict under the War Powers Act,” he said. “Neither of those things are going to happen,” he added, referring to a 30-day extension or a declaration of war.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) continued to face missile and drone attacks from Iran as of Tuesday evening local time. The U.S. blockade of Iran remains in full effect despite the pause on ship guidance operations.