Trump pauses Project Freedom after less than 48 hours, citing progress on Iran negotiations

Iran and the United States escalated their rhetoric Wednesday over the Strait of Hormuz after Tehran’s UN mission criticized a U.S.-backed resolution on maritime security.

In a post on X, Iran’s mission said the proposal was “politically motivated” and argued the only solution is “a permanent end to the war” and lifting the maritime blockade, urging countries to reject the measure.

U.S. Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz responded directly, accusing Tehran of threatening global shipping.

“The Iranian regime wants to mine an international waterway, attack commercial vessels, charge illegal tolls, block humanitarian aid,” Waltz wrote, adding that Iran treats freedom of navigation “like a doormat.”

The exchange points to growing tensions at the United Nations as the Security Council weighs action on the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran’s football federation chief said the country still plans to compete in the upcoming World Cup in North America, pushing back on the idea that the United States or President Donald Trump controls the tournament.

“The host is FIFA, not Trump or America,” federation head Mehdi Taj said in remarks to Iranian state broadcaster IRIB.

Taj said Iran would participate as long as the team is treated appropriately, but warned that tensions could spill into the sporting arena.

He added that any “insult” toward Iranian military institutions could create complications for the team’s participation.

The man who allegedly attempted to kill President Donald Trump and members of his Cabinet at the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner April 25 may have been motivated by the conflict in Iran.

According to a Department of Homeland Security preliminary intelligence report viewed by Reuters, Allen had "multiple social and political grievances," and the report says the war in Iran "may have contributed to his decision to conduct the attack."

The report, labeled a "Critical Incident Note," was originally obtained via a public records request by a nonprofit called Property of the People, according to Reuters. It reportedly cited Allen's social media posts about the Iranian war to justify its conclusion.

"DHS shares Critical Incident Notes to quickly communicate information and intelligence to federal, state and local authorities," the agency told Fox News Digital in a statement. "These reports notify our partners of the latest available information following significant incidents that have impacts to homeland security.

DHS does not publicly comment on the information contained in internal law enforcement communications."Allen's anti-Trump sentiments were expressed in a so-called manifesto, according to authorities.

Minutes before the attack, a pre-scheduled email from Allen was sent to his family and friends, explaining his actions, authorities said.

He allegedly acknowledged that his mission would likely severely harm him at the least but never stated that he was willing to die for his cause. His motivations were political, and he painted himself as a savior of those who he thinks have been oppressed by the current administration. 

Allen apologized profusely to family, friends and everyone he had come in contact with on his cross-country trek. He noted that there were certain people he hoped wouldn't be caught in the crossfire and described himself as "friendly."

This is an excerpt of an article by Fox News Digital's Peter D'Abrosca.

Rebuilding Gaza after two years of war will cost more than $71 billion, with most homes and nearly all businesses destroyed, according to a joint assessment by the World Bank, United Nations and European Union cited by The Times of Israel.

The report — the first comprehensive survey since the October 2025 ceasefire — found $35.2 billion in direct physical damage and an additional $22.7 billion in economic losses.

Housing was the hardest hit sector, with roughly three-quarters of all units damaged and nearly 85% completely destroyed, leaving around 60% of Gaza’s population without homes. Overall, 92% of businesses were affected, and fewer than one in 10 people currently has a job, the report found.

Despite the scale of destruction, reconstruction has barely begun. More than 1.7 million people remain displaced, largely living in tents or temporary shelters, while infrastructure including hospitals and water systems remain severely damaged.

According to the report, rebuilding will take years and depends heavily on political progress, funding commitments and improved access to materials.

U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz said Wednesday the U.S. is pushing a new UN resolution condemning Iran’s actions in the Strait of Hormuz, calling Tehran’s reported efforts to regulate and charge ships for passage a violation of international law.

“Absolutely not. It’s in violation of all kinds of international laws — the Hague Convention, Geneva Convention, law of the sea,” Waltz said in an interview with Bret Baier on 'Special Report,' rejecting Iran’s reported plan to impose transit rules and tolls.

The move comes as the Trump administration signals progress in nuclear talks, with President Trump suggesting a potential deal could be reached within days. But Waltz emphasized that any agreement would rely on strict enforcement.

“There will be no trust involved. It’s going to be inspect and verify,” he said, adding that international inspectors must have access “any time, anywhere.”

Waltz also pointed to China as a key player, noting Beijing’s economy has been impacted by the U.S. blockade on Iranian oil.

“I think we could see some positive movement,” he said ahead of Trump’s planned trip to China.

A new Wall Street Journal editorial is warning that any potential deal with Iran risks failure if it allows Tehran to delay or obscure key commitments, arguing that only full dismantlement of its nuclear program can prevent future escalation.

In an opinion piece published Wednesday, the Journal’s Editorial Board said Iran “thrives on delay and ambiguity” and would likely seek to keep any agreement vague while dragging out implementation.

The editorial outlines what it calls core U.S. red lines, including dismantling major nuclear facilities, banning enrichment, handing over uranium stockpiles and allowing unrestricted international inspections.

It also cautions against tying sanctions relief to the signing of a deal rather than verified compliance, warning that Tehran could exploit gaps to rebuild capabilities.

“Key details have to be spelled out, even in the initial framework,” the board wrote, adding that enforcement — including the credible threat of renewed military action — remains critical.

The piece comes as the Trump administration signals progress in talks with Iran, with the Journal urging the president to reject any agreement that falls short of full nuclear dismantlement.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Wednesday condemned what it described as “hostile” statements from Iran, issuing a sharp warning against any threats to its sovereignty or security.

In a statement posted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the UAE said it “categorically rejects” any allegations or rhetoric targeting its national security, independence or decision-making.

The ministry emphasized that the country’s international partnerships and defense ties are “an exclusively sovereign matter,” adding that no party has the right to use them as a pretext for “threats, interference, or incitement.”

It also warned that any direct or indirect threats to the UAE’s security, infrastructure or citizens constitute “unacceptable conduct” in violation of international law and the UN Charter.

The statement reflects rising regional tensions as diplomacy continues around the war in Iran.

As President Donald Trump signals progress toward a possible agreement with Iran, Israeli officials and analysts increasingly are outlining what Jerusalem believes any deal must include to prevent Tehran from rebuilding its military and regional power.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Wednesday that Israel and the United States remain in "full coordination" as negotiations continue.

"We share common objectives, and the most important objective is the removal of the enriched material from Iran, all the enriched material, and the dismantling of Iran’s enrichment capabilities," Netanyahu said at the opening of a security cabinet meeting.

"We’ve had very good talks over the last 24 hours, and it’s very possible that we’ll make a deal," Trump told reporters in the Oval Office Wednesday. 

At the same time, Trump warned that if negotiations fail, "we’ll have to go a big step further."

For Israel, the question is not simply whether the war ends, but whether Iran emerges from negotiations weakened or repositioned to rebuild. Israeli officials fear a weak agreement could allow Tehran to preserve strategic capabilities, regain economic breathing room and eventually restore the regional network of armed groups that threatened Israel before the war.

Jerusalem is also seeking guarantees that any future deal preserves military leverage and freedom of action if Iran violates its commitments.

Against that backdrop, Israeli analysts say Jerusalem’s red lines focus on four core areas: dismantling Iran’s enrichment infrastructure, restricting its ballistic missile program, preventing Tehran from rebuilding Hezbollah and Hamas, and ensuring the regime does not gain political legitimacy or strategic relief from the negotiations.

This is an excerpt of an article by Fox News Digital's Efrat Lachter.

Global markets rallied Wednesday as signs of progress in U.S.-Iran talks fueled hopes of an end to the war, sending oil prices lower and stocks to record highs.

Brent crude fell below $100 a barrel — its lowest level in weeks — on expectations that risks to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz could ease if a deal is reached.

U.S. equities surged, with major indexes extending record gains on optimism around a diplomatic breakthrough.

President Donald Trump reinforced that outlook, saying the U.S. has had “very good talks over the last 24 hours” and that “it’s very possible that we’ll make a deal.”

At the same time, Trump revealed he met with top oil executives at the White House the night before, including leaders from ExxonMobil and Chevron, as energy companies eye opportunities tied to a potential post-conflict shift.

“The stock market is higher now than when we started the war,” Trump said, noting oil prices had not spiked as expected.

An updated map of U.S. naval assets in the Middle East shows a sustained American military presence near Iran, even as one major carrier group rotates out.

The USS Gerald R. Ford carrier strike group has departed the region, while the USS Boxer Amphibious Ready Group is moving through the Indian Ocean toward the Arabian Sea, signaling a repositioning rather than a drawdown.

The map shows a dense concentration of U.S. warships across key zones, including the Persian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, Red Sea and eastern Mediterranean.

Multiple guided-missile destroyers, amphibious ships and support vessels remain positioned near the Strait of Hormuz.

The continued presence comes as the U.S. maintains its naval blockade on Iranian ports and presses forward with negotiations over Tehran’s nuclear program.

President Donald Trump said Wednesday that negotiations with Iran have made significant progress, pointing to “very good talks over the last 24 hours” and suggesting a deal could be close.

“They want to make a deal badly,” Trump said, adding that “it’s very possible that we’ll make a deal.”

At the same time, Trump framed the U.S. position as one of overwhelming strength, arguing that Iran’s military has been largely destroyed. “I think we won now,” he said, claiming it would take Iran “20 years to rebuild.”

Trump reiterated that the core demand remains unchanged: “They can’t have nuclear weapons. It’s very simple,” adding that Iran has “agreed to that, among other things.”

The president also warned that diplomacy has limits. “If we don’t get what we have to get, we’ll have to go a big step further,” he said.

The comments come as the administration pauses some operations in the Strait of Hormuz while maintaining pressure on Iran.

As President Donald Trump continues to express anger at NATO European allies for their lack of help in the war with Iran, he’s making clear their behavior comes at a cost.

In the weeks during the war and since the ceasefire, the president has hit back not just with words but with definitive actions against several of those countries.

Germany

On Saturday, Trump said that he would withdraw more than the initial 5,000 U.S. troops from Germany as stated by the Pentagon, after Berlin’s leader denigrated the American effort to stop Iran’s regime from building a nuclear weapon.

A day earlier he said about Germany that "We're gonna cut way down. We're cutting a lot further than 5,000." The Trump administration previously announced a contraction of 5,000 troops in Germany after the country’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Iran’s regime "humiliated" Trump.

In an apparent state of panic, Merz walked back his attack on Trump and his Iran strategy on Sunday. The chancellor wrote on X: "The United States is and will remain Germany‘s most important partner in the North Atlantic Alliance. We share a common goal: Iran must not be allowed to acquire nuclear weapons."

Trump ratcheted up his troop reduction number against Germany amid his comments about downsizing U.S. boots on the ground in Spain and Italy because they failed to aid America in the war against Iran. The president’s anger at Western European countries has been simmering for weeks and could lead to profound changes in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

Nile Gardiner, the director of the Margaret Thatcher Center for Freedom at The Heritage Foundation, told Fox News Digital, "The lack of support for the United States has been nothing less than treacherous. I think the president has the right to be outraged by the lack of support from key European allies."

He said, "There is a very deep-seated cultural appeasement in Europe towards the Iranian regime that goes back many decades, and a flat-out refusal to accept the reality of the immense dangers of a nuclear-armed Iran. European leaders are sleepwalking toward destruction with this perilous path they have taken.

"The lack of support for the United States is how far Europe has gone toward losing its moral compass. Iran is a genocidal regime that threatens to wipe Israel off the map." He noted that the Islamic Republic has killed huge numbers of its population.

Gardiner, a former advisor to Lady Thatcher said, "If you listen to European leaders, it's as if the U.S. is the villain here."Merz, speaking last week in Marsberg, criticized the U.S. approach to Iran, saying Washington was being "humiliated by the Iranian leadership" and expressing hope the conflict would end "as quickly as possible."

Gardiner said of Merz’s remarks that, "comments like these actually help the propaganda of the Iranian dictatorship. It is astonishing that a German chancellor would make these kinds of remarks at a time of war…and the German chancellor is giving comfort to the Iranian regime. It is disgusting."

This is an excerpt of an article by Fox News Digital's Benjamin Weinthal

The U.S. military gun that fired on and disabled an Iranian-flagged ship trying to run the blockade on Iranian ports Wednesday can fire up to 6,000 rounds per minute, according to the Marines. 

U.S. Central Command announced that American forces operating in the Gulf of Oman "enforced blockade measures by disabling an Iranian-flagged unladen oil tanker attempting to sail toward an Iranian port." 

"American forces issued multiple warnings and informed the Iranian-flagged vessel it was in violation of the U.S. blockade. After Hasna’s crew failed to comply with repeated warnings, U.S. forces disabled the tanker’s rudder by firing several rounds from the 20mm cannon gun of a U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet launched from USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72)," CENTCOM said. 

The Marines said the M61A2 20mm Vulcan cannon is a “lightweight gun” that is used only in F/A-18s and has “six rotating barrels [that] minimize barrel erosion and heat generation, contributing to a long weapon life.” 

The gun can shoot up to 6,000 rounds per minute. 

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Wednesday that he will speak with President Donald Trump tonight, amid reports that the U.S. and Iran are moving toward an agreement to end the war. 

“We maintain continuous contact with our friends in the United States,” Netanyahu said at the start of a security cabinet meeting, according to The Times of Israel. “I speak with President Trump on an almost daily basis.” 

“My people and his people are in daily contact, including today,” Netanyahu reportedly added. “And I will speak later tonight with President Trump as well.” 

“There is full coordination between us — no surprises,” Netanyahu also was quoted as saying. “We share common goals, and the most important goal is the removal of the enriched material from Iran — all of the enriched material — and the dismantling of Iran’s enrichment capabilities.” 

U.S. Central Command announced Wednesday that American forces operating in the Gulf of Oman "enforced blockade measures by disabling an Iranian-flagged unladen oil tanker attempting to sail toward an Iranian port."

CENTCOM said the incident involving the M/T Hasna unfolded around 9 a.m. ET "as it transited international waters enroute to an Iranian port on the Gulf of Oman."

"American forces issued multiple warnings and informed the Iranian-flagged vessel it was in violation of the U.S. blockade. After Hasna’s crew failed to comply with repeated warnings, U.S. forces disabled the tanker’s rudder by firing several rounds from the 20mm cannon gun of a U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet launched from USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72)," CENTCOM said.

"Hasna is no longer transiting to Iran," it added. "The U.S. blockade against ships attempting to enter or depart Iranian ports remains in full effect. CENTCOM forces continue to act deliberately and professionally to ensure compliance."

The office of French President Emmanuel Macron announced Wednesday that the country’s only aircraft carrier, the Charles de Gaulle, is heading toward the southern Red Sea ahead of a possible mission to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a report said. 

The news agency AFP cited Macron’s office as saying that the move is intended to send “a signal that not only are we ready to secure the Strait of Hormuz but that we are also capable of doing so". 

“Since February 28, the French Armed Forces have been acting in a defensive posture. Alongside the British and their partners, they have worked on a multinational initiative — the result of ad hoc planning involving more than forty nations — aimed at contributing to the restoration of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, in coordination with coastal states,” France’s defense ministry said Wednesday. 

“To reduce the implementation delays of this initiative as soon as circumstances allow, the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle and its escorts are crossing the Suez Canal on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, en route to the southern Red Sea,” it added. 

It also said, “The movement of the carrier strike group is distinct from other military operations initiated in the region and complements the existing security measures.” 

President Donald Trump hailed a tentative peace deal in the works with Iran with the caveat that in-person truce signings remain "too far" off.

"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," Trump wrote on Truth Social.

"If they don’t agree, the bombing starts, and it will be, sadly, at a much higher level and intensity than it was before."

Shortly after that post, Trump told media outlets "I don't think" there should be any imminent plans to make a trip to the Middle East for any longtime peace deal talks or denuclearization signing.

"It’s too far," Trump reportedly told the New York Post on Wednesday morning. "No, it’s too much."

Trump has long panned his peace negotiators getting on a long trek to the Middle East for merely exchanging ceasefire or peace proposals, repeating many times in the past week that talks with him and his administration can be done "telephonically" for now.

"I think we’ll do it" over the phone, Trump has said.

Trump's Truth post came as reports suggested Washington and Tehran were nearing a possible framework to end their 67-day war, with Pakistan helping mediate talks. Trump said he was meeting with military officials Wednesday morning amid announcements of an end to Operation Epic Fury before the 60-day Authorization of Military Force deadline this week.

A fragile ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran is holding despite continued attacks, as President Donald Trump announced a pause in naval escort operations to allow negotiations to continue — while warning that failure to reach a deal would result in a significantly escalated bombing campaign.

Trump said the pause in Project Freedom — the U.S. mission to guide commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz — is intended to give negotiators time to finalize what he described as a potential "complete and final agreement" with Iran, while maintaining that the U.S. naval blockade would remain in place.

Trump suggested in a social media post Wednesday morning the conflict could soon come to an end if Iran agrees to the terms under discussion, but warned that if it does not, U.S. forces would resume bombing at a significantly higher level and intensity.

"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," Trump wrote Wednesday morning. "If they don’t agree, the bombing starts, and it will be, sadly, at a much higher level and intensity than it was before."

"We prefer this to be a peaceful operation, but are locked and loaded to defend our people, our ships, our aircraft, and this mission without hesitation," War Secretary Pete Hegseth said Tuesday. 

Even as negotiations advance, Iran has continued attacks on commercial vessels and U.S. forces, which officials say remain "below the threshold" of restarting major combat operations.

U.S. Central Command announced Wednesday that 52 commercial ships have been directed to turn around as part of the U.S. military’s ongoing blockade of Iranian ports. 

CENTCOM released a photo of the USS George H.W. Bush, describing the aircraft carrier of being “among the large contingent of U.S. warships, aircraft, and personnel fully enforcing the U.S. naval blockade against Iran.” 

President Donald Trump said Tuesday that despite a temporary pause in Project Freedom — the military operation to reopen the Strait of Hormuz — the U.S. blockade on Iranian ports will remain in effect.

White House spokeswoman Taylor Rodgers told Fox News on Wednesday that gas prices should “plummet” as President Donald Trump works to bring Operation Epic Fury to an end. 

“President Trump remains committed to fully unleashing American energy dominance, lowering costs, and putting more money back in the pockets of hardworking American families,” Rogers said. 

“As the President continues to exert maximum leverage over Iran with the ongoing successful blockade to bring this conflict to an end, we will see global energy markets stabilize and gas prices plummet back to the multi-year lows Americans enjoyed prior to the start of Operation Epic Fury,” she added. 

The national average price for a gallon of gas climbed 5 cents to $4.53 on Wednesday, according to AAA.  

Fox News’ Patrick Ward contributed to this report. 

The White House is getting close to an agreement with Iran on a one-page memorandum of understanding to end the war and establish a framework for detailed discussions about Tehran’s nuclear program, a report from Axios said. 

The outlet, citing two U.S. officials and two other sources briefed on the issue, reported that the U.S. is expecting Iran to respond to several key points within the next 48 hours. 

The deal would involve Iran agreeing to a halt on nuclear enrichment, while the U.S. would lift sanctions and free up billions of dollars in frozen Iranian funds, according to Axios. 

Both sides would also lift restrictions on transit through the Strait of Hormuz, it added. 

Fox News Digital has reached out to the White House for further comment.

China and Iran’s foreign ministers met Wednesday in Beijing, just about a week before President Donald Trump is heading to China’s capital for a high stakes summit with Xi Jinping. 

During the meeting with Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi, Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi called for a “comprehensive ceasefire," saying his country is deeply distressed by the war.

“The international community shares a common concern for restoring normal and safe passage through the Strait, and China hopes the relevant parties will respond as quickly as possible to the strong calls from the international community,” China's official news agency Xinhua quoted him as saying, according to The Associated Press. 

Araghchi later described the talks as "constructive," adding in a statement on X that "Both sides reaffirmed Iran's right to safeguard national sovereignty and national dignity."

"The Iranian side appreciates the four-point proposal put forward by the Chinese side on upholding and promoting regional peace and stability. The Iranian side trusts the Chinese side and expects the Chinese side to continue playing a positive role in promoting peace and stopping war, and supports the establishment of a new post-war regional architecture that can coordinate development and security," he added.

Trump said on Tuesday that the U.S. hasn’t "been challenged by China" on the conflict with Iran. 

"I have a very good relationship with President Xi. You know, I find him to be a tremendous guy, and we get along well. And you see how we do," Trump told reporters when asked about his upcoming meeting with Xi, and what he hopes to achieve with him in relation to Iran.  

"But he's been very nice about this. You know, in all fairness, he gets like, 60% of his oil from Hormuz. And he's been, I think he's been very respectful," Trump added. "We haven't been challenged by China. They don't challenge us. And he wouldn't do that. I don't think he'd do that because of me. But, I think he's been very respectful." 

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei told Iranian media on Wednesday that Tehran is considering a proposal from the U.S. regarding the war. 

In an interview with the ISNA news agency, Baghaei said the proposal is still being considered by Iran and that Iranian leadership will later convey its response to Pakistani mediators.  

Details about the proposal were not immediately available. 

President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social Tuesday night that Project Freedom, the operation to open the Strait of Hormuz, was temporarily paused as “Great Progress has been made toward a Complete and Final Agreement with Representatives of Iran.” 

He then 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."

"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 also warned.

Fox News' Thomas Ferraro contributed to this report.

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.

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." 

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. 

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.