In a post Monday on Truth Social, Trump said “Project Freedom,” which he described as ensuring ship movement through the Strait of Hormuz, would be suspended for a short period to determine whether a final agreement can be reached and signed.
He said the decision reflected requests from Pakistan and other countries, what he called “tremendous success” in U.S. military operations against Iran, and “substantial progress” toward a “complete and final” agreement with Iranian representatives.
Trump said the maritime blockade against Iran would remain in place, maintaining pressure during the remaining negotiations.
Separately, the U.S. administration said an earlier Iran-related military operation had ended and that the Hormuz response had entered a new phase. Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters in the White House briefing room that “Epic Fury” was over and that Trump had notified Congress. “That phase is over. We are now in Project Freedom,” he said.
“Epic Fury” was a U.S. military operation against Iran launched on Feb. 28. Trump recently sent a letter to Congress stating that the hostilities that began on Feb. 28, 2026, had ended. The move has been interpreted as an attempt to bypass the War Powers Resolution’s 60-day limit on the use of force abroad without congressional approval.
Rubio said the U.S. military would respond if Iran attacks first, but repeatedly stressed that Project Freedom is defensive. He said the United States bears the main responsibility because it is the only country able to project power in the region, adding that while other nations’ ships are trapped in the Strait of Hormuz, the United States is carrying out the operation “in good faith.”
He said a closure of the strait would hit the global economy and, over time, the U.S. economy, and warned that failing to respond could lead to similar situations in other international waterways.
Rubio sharply criticized Iran’s attempt to control the strait, saying Tehran was trying to establish a new maritime order. “It is completely illegal and absurd, and every country in the world should join us in condemning Iran and doing something,” he said. He said multiple countries had expressed willingness to respond but did not name them.
He also said at least 10 civilian sailors had died on ships stranded in the Strait of Hormuz because of the blockade, accusing Iran of effectively engaging in piracy.
Rubio said the United States is pushing for a U.N. Security Council resolution to reopen the strait, calling it a “real test” for the United Nations. A similar resolution led by Bahrain last month failed after vetoes by China and Russia. Rubio said Iran’s blockade also harms China and urged Beijing to pressure Iran directly.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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