Trump Halts Operation Freedom in Strait of Hormuz Amidst Deal Progress

Washington DC. US President Donald Trump has announced a temporary halt to the US military operation 'Project Freedom', launched to safely extricate merchant ships trapped in the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump stated that this operation has been suspended by mutual agreement, claiming 'great progress' has been made towards a deal with Iran. However, Iranian media outlets have interpreted this as a victory for their country, commenting that Trump was forced to back down after a comprehensive failure.

President Trump clarified via social media that this decision was taken at the request of neighboring Pakistan, which is mediating between the US and Iranian sides. He stated that while the operation is halted, US blockades on Iranian ports will remain in place. Before this announcement, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio had stated that the first phase of military action against Iran, 'Operation Epic Fury', had concluded after achieving its objectives.

This sudden decision by Trump has created some confusion within the US administration. Just hours earlier, Secretary Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs General Dan Ken were expressing strong commitment to continuing the operation to ensure freedom of navigation and trade in the region. However, Secretary Rubio told reporters that America is on the side of peace and President Trump stands for a deal.

The US had been explaining the blockade and the ship rescue operation as two separate aspects. The objective of the blockade was to increase economic pressure on Iran, while 'Project Freedom' aimed to safely extricate ships trapped in the nearly closed waterway and facilitate oil supply to the global market.

Now, if Iran creates further obstacles during this suspension period, it will be difficult for the US to claim it has achieved its objectives. On the other hand, it is also speculated that by halting this operation, which Iran has been strongly protesting, the US is strategizing to bring Iran to the negotiating table.

Meanwhile, signs of continued tension in the Strait of Hormuz have emerged. The British Navy reported that a cargo ship was fired upon from an unknown area in the waterway. Similarly, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) claimed that its air defense system neutralized missiles and drones originating from Iran. Iran, however, has denied such accusations, clarifying that it has not launched any attacks on the UAE.

This crisis escalated after the US and Israel launched airstrikes on Iran on February 28. In response, Iran blocked the crucial waterway, through which 20 percent of the world's oil and gas is transported, causing a severe impact on the global economy.