President Trump said in a Tuesday night post on Truth Social that the US military operation to “guide” commercial ships out of the Strait of Hormuz, which he has dubbed “Project Freedom,” has been paused.
“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,” the president wrote.
In response to Trump’s announcement, an Iranian official told Drop Site News reporter Jeremy Scahill that the post was “riddled with falsehoods” and that Trump’s operation to “liberate” the Strait of Hormuz “failed completley.” The official also reaffirmed Tehran’s position that direct talks won’t happen until the US blockade is lifted.
“We will not participate in direct negotiations until the United States formally announces the end of the blockade,” the official told Scahill.
Pakistan has passed messages between the US and Iran, and late last week, Tehran had presented a new proposal to the US that, according to Iranian media, was focused on bringing a permanent end to the conflict and other hostilities in the region, including the Israeli war in Lebanon. Iran said on Sunday that it was reviewing a US response to the proposal, but then Trump announced “Project Freedom.”
Scahill said that the US did send a message to Iran through Pakistan, “indicating the US does not intend to carry out direct military action in the Persian Gulf and is seeking direct talks with Iran.” He also noted that the US and Israel had attacked Iran twice before while the US was claiming it was negotiating.
Trump’s announcement came after Iran made clear it would respond to US attempts to “guide” commercial ships out of the Strait of Hormuz and the two sides exchanged fire on Monday.
