President Donald Trump announced Tuesday that the U.S. will temporarily pause “Project Freedom,” a military operation launched to help commercial ships exit the Strait of Hormuz amid rising tensions with Iran.
In a Truth Social post, Trump said the pause comes as negotiations with Tehran appear to be making “great progress” toward what he described as a possible “complete and final agreement.” The President said the operation would remain suspended briefly to determine whether a formal deal can be finalized.
🇺🇸 🇮🇷 President Donald Trump says he is pausing the US military operation to guide stranded commercial ships through the Strait of Hormuz shortly after it began, citing a chance to seal a deal that would end two months of war with Iran.
— AFP News Agency (@AFP) May 6, 2026
➡️ https://t.co/AxFVmmFSCI pic.twitter.com/eqFQrr9jKr
According to the Trump administration, nearly 23,000 sailors from 87 countries remain stranded in the Persian Gulf because of Iran’s effective blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the mission as an effort to rescue vulnerable civilian sailors.
The report said stock futures rose after Trump’s announcement, signaling investor optimism over a possible de-escalation in the region. However, military tensions remain high, with Iran accused of missile and drone attacks targeting ships and regional infrastructure.
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TIPP Staff
