U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday announced a temporary pause in a naval operation designed to escort commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, citing what he described as “great progress” in negotiations with Iran.
The move comes amid heightened global tensions after the vital waterway — which carries roughly 20 percent of the world’s oil supply — was effectively shut down following the outbreak of conflict in late February.
In a post on social media, Trump said both sides had agreed to suspend “Project Freedom,” the U.S.-led escort mission, to allow time for finalizing a broader agreement. However, he noted that the broader blockade measures against Iran would remain in place.
Earlier in the day, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio outlined the operation, which began Monday to assist stranded oil tankers in navigating the increasingly volatile strait.
There was no immediate response from Tehran, where it was early Wednesday morning.
Shortly after Trump’s announcement, U.S. crude oil futures dropped by $2.30, falling below the $100-per-barrel mark — a key psychological threshold since the crisis began and sent energy prices surging worldwide.
Despite the pause, uncertainty remains over how long negotiations will last and what specific progress has been achieved. The White House has yet to provide further details.
Rubio emphasized that the United States would not allow Iran to dominate maritime traffic through the strait. Iran has reportedly threatened to deploy mines, drones, and missile systems, effectively sealing off the passage.
In response, the U.S. has enforced a blockade on Iranian ports while conducting escorted transits for commercial shipping.
The U.S. military confirmed it destroyed several Iranian vessels, drones, and cruise missiles earlier this week. Rubio declared that “Operation Epic Fury,” launched on February 28 alongside Israel, had achieved its primary objectives.
“We’re not seeking further escalation,” Rubio said.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated that a secure corridor had been established, with hundreds of ships waiting to transit through the strait. He added that a fragile ceasefire with Iran remains in place but is under close watch.
Meanwhile, General Dan Caine noted that recent Iranian actions have stayed “below the threshold” that would trigger a renewed large-scale military response.
A key objective of the U.S. campaign has been to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons — an ambition Tehran denies. However, officials say Iran still retains more than 900 pounds of highly enriched uranium.
Adding to tensions, Britain’s maritime monitoring agency reported that a cargo vessel was struck by a projectile in the strait, though details remain unclear.
As diplomatic efforts continue, global markets and energy-dependent economies remain on edge, awaiting clarity on whether a lasting agreement can be reached.
