‘Project Freedom’ paused while U.S., Iran try to negotiate a deal

By Sarah Roderick-Fitch
The Center Square

More than a day after its implementation, “Project Freedom,” a U.S. operation to safely escort commercial ships through the Strait of Hormuz, has been put on pause pending a deal with Iran.

President Donald Trump announced the latest development Tuesday night, citing “great progress” being made toward a deal 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 to see whether or not the Agreement can be finalized and signed,” Trump posted on Truth Social.

The announcement comes hours after Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio held news briefings to explain the latest operation, calling it a defensive operation and a humanitarian mission for the rest of the world.

Rubio described the operation as a “defensive,” not “offensive,” operation.

He underscored that the mission is humanitarian in nature, as the goal of the U.S. is to rescue about 23,000 civilians “trapped” in the Persian Gulf as a result of Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

Around the time of the president’s announcement, multiple reports claimed a French-owned cargo ship, manned by a Filipino crew, was attacked by a potential land-attack cruise missile in the region. There were reports of multiple injuries.

Earlier in the day, Hegseth called on Iran to allow commercial vessels to pass safely through the strait.

“To Iran: Let innocent ships pass freely. These international waters belong to all nations, not to Iran to tax, toll or control,” the secretary said during a Tuesday morning briefing.

The Trump administration continues to claim the fragile ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran remains intact, despite the Islamic Republic’s attempts to fire on U.S. naval vessels and attacks on commercial vessels.