President Donald Trump said on Tuesday the U.S. would pause an effort it began on Monday to provide security for shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. He said the pause would give time to evaluate whether the U.S. could reach a lasting peace deal with 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 on social media.
The president said Pakistan and other countries had requested that “Operation Freedom” be paused.
That effort officially began on Monday, with U.S. forces working to help ships move through the strait amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East.
Two U.S.-flagged merchant vessels successfully transited the strait on Monday, according to U.S. Central Command.
This is a breaking news story and will be updated.
