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Trump halts operation to reopen Hormuz, says ‘great progress’ made toward deal

President Donald Trump orders US Navy to halt Project Freedom, aimed at securing passage through the Strait of Hormuz, to promote talks with Iran.

By David Rosenberg, World Israel News

President Donald Trump has halted the naval operation aimed at securing the safe passage of vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, the president announced on Tuesday night.

The US launched Project Freedom on Monday morning, using air and naval power to break the Iranian blockade in the Strait of Hormuz and to restore freedom of navigation for commercial vessels.

In a post on his Truth Social account, Trump said that after less than two days, Project Freedom has been paused “for a short time.”

Trump added that Pakistan had appealed to the US to halt the operation to facilitate negotiations 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 wrote.

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The announcement comes a day after Iran launched multiple missile barrages at the United Arab Emirates.

While most of the missiles were intercepted, at least one direct hit was reported at a UAE port.

The United States sank a number of Iranian fast boats during Project Freedom as the Iranian navy attempted to block American efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

Despite the Iranian attacks on the UAE, both Trump and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth emphasized that the ceasefire with Iran remains in force.

“The ceasefire is not over,” Hegseth told reporters on Tuesday.

On Wednesday, Trump warned that if Iran fails to reach a deal with the US reopening the Strait of Hormuz, the US air campaign against the Islamic Republic would resume.

“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. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”