Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Wednesday that he is “grateful to President Donald Trump for his courageous leadership and timely announcement regarding the pause in Project Freedom in the Strait of Hormuz.”
“President Trump's gracious response to the request made by Pakistan and other brotherly countries, particularly the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and my dear brother Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia H.R.H Prince Mohammed bin Salman, will go a long way towards advancing regional peace, stability and reconciliation during this sensitive period,” Sharif, a key mediator in discussions between the U.S. and Iran, wrote on X.
“Pakistan remains firmly committed to supporting all efforts that promote restraint and a peaceful resolution of conflicts through dialogue and diplomacy. We are very hopeful that the current momentum will lead to a lasting agreement that secures durable peace and stability for the region and beyond,” he added.
Trump announced on Truth Social Tuesday night that Project Freedom, the U.S. military operation to open the Strait of Hormuz, has been temporarily paused with “great progress” being made toward a potential deal with Tehran to end the conflict.
The Israel Defense Forces said Wednesday that it began striking Hezbollah infrastructure in Lebanon after two of its soldiers were injured by “explosive drones” launched by the Iran-backed terrorist group.
“In several incidents a short while ago, the Hezbollah terrorist organization launched explosive drones and a number of rockets toward IDF soldiers operating in southern Lebanon,” the IDF said in a statement.
“Two explosive drones detonated in proximity to IDF soldiers,” it added. “As a result, two IDF soldiers were moderately and lightly injured. The soldiers were evacuated to receive medical treatment at a hospital, and their families have been notified.”
In another incident, the IDF said it “intercepted a hostile aircraft prior to crossing into Israeli territory.”
Fox News' Yonat Friling contributed to this report.
President Donald Trump said Wednesday that "Assuming Iran agrees to give what has been agreed to, which is, perhaps, a big assumption, the already legendary Epic Fury will be at an end, and the highly effective Blockade will allow the Hormuz Strait to be OPEN TO ALL, including Iran."
However, "If they don’t agree, the bombing starts, and it will be, sadly, at a much higher level and intensity than it was before," Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social.
The remarks come as Project Freedom, the U.S. military operation to open the Strait of Hormuz, is temporarily paused.
Trump halted the operation on Tuesday, saying that "great progress” was being made toward a potential deal with Tehran to end the conflict.
{{#rendered}}One of the world’s largest shipping groups said Tuesday that the temporary pause of Project Freedom in the Strait of Hormuz is a “surprise” and “challenge.”
The Baltic and International Maritime Council (BIMCO), which describes itself as the “world's largest international shipping association, with over 2,000 members in 130 countries,” said in a statement that “Our members report that crews are coping mentally and practically with the situation.”
"The suspension of ‘Project Freedom’ shortly after its launch is a surprise,” BIMCO said.
"While a few ships made it out safely while ‘Project Freedom’ was in place, it was clear that transits without coordination with Iran entailed significant risk,” it added. "Changes announced at short notice or changes that are surprising, such as the sudden suspension of ‘Project Freedom,’ are a challenge for shipowners attempting to assess the risks and planning for leaving the Persian Gulf."
BIMCO noted that “Shipowners are still able to buy provisions and fuel locally, although at elevated prices."
President Donald Trump said Tuesday that “Project Freedom,” the U.S. effort to secure ship movement through the Strait of Hormuz, will be paused temporarily following what he described in a post on Truth Social as significant progress toward a potential 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 to see whether or not the Agreement can be finalized and signed." Trump said.
Yesterday's Fox News Digital liveblog has additional coverage of the Iran conflict.
Live Coverage begins here