U.S. President Donald Trump has paused a plan to escort commercial ships through the Strait of Hormuz, known as Project Freedom, after being warned that the operation risked escalating tensions and collapsing a fragile ceasefire with Iran. The decision, announced Tuesday evening, came just hours after top U.S. officials detailed the military assets to be deployed for the mission.
Project Freedom Details
According to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs Chairman Dan Caine, the Pentagon was preparing to deploy guided-missile destroyers with air defense capabilities, over 100 aircraft, 15,000 personnel, and a mix of drones, including underwater platforms. Hegseth described the initiative as a 'powerful red, white, and blue dome over the strait' to protect commercial shipping from Iranian attacks.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio characterized the operation as defensive, with ships passing through an 'enhanced security area on the southern side of the strait.' Central Command Commander Admiral Bradley Cooper also outlined the plan to reporters.
Ceasefire Concerns
Trump's decision to pause the operation came after a request from Pakistan, which is mediating peace talks. The president stated that the pause would create space for all sides to work out a deal, though negotiations remain far apart. The move highlights Trump's dilemma: he faces pressure to end an unpopular war while needing to break Iran's control of the strait to lower oil and gas prices.
On Monday, the U.S. military helped two vessels exit Hormuz, repelling Iranian drone, missile, and fast-attack boat attacks. Iran also struck an oil terminal in Fujairah, United Arab Emirates. These attacks shook a ceasefire that had held for nearly a month. Caine said they did not signal renewed combat operations, but acknowledged that sending U.S. vessels through the strait could expose them to further attacks.
The back-and-forth underscores the bind Trump faces as he seeks to end a conflict that has grown increasingly unpopular while failing to secure the strait.
