US pauses naval operation in Strait of Hormuz as Iran peace talks remain uncertain
Secretary of State Marco Rubio declares Operation Epic Fury over, but President Trump signals reluctance to send envoys back to Islamabad while Iranian officials dismiss reported terms as a US wish list
President Donald Trump has suspended the short-lived Project Freedom naval operation in the Strait of Hormuz, citing potential progress toward a final agreement with Iran. This decision comes less than 24 hours after Secretary of State Marco Rubio declared Operation Epic Fury over, marking a significant shift in the administration's immediate military posture in the region.
While reports suggest Washington and Tehran are nearing a one-page, 14-point memorandum to end hostilities, the President issued a stark warning that bombing would resume at a much higher level and intensity if a deal is not secured. Trump described the prospect of an Iran deal as a "big assumption" and indicated it is unlikely he would send US envoys for a second round of peace talks in Islamabad.
Iranian officials have dismissed the reported terms as a US wish list, with parliamentarian Ebrahim Rezaei stating that Iran is ready to use force if necessary concessions are not granted. Despite these warnings, a source close to mediators in Pakistan told Reuters that the two sides are getting close to finalising the agreement, which aims to unblock the strait and curb Iranian nuclear ambitions.
Foreign policy experts have cautioned that the administration's decision-making appears impulsive and inconsistent, noting that the link between pausing Project Freedom and the peace deal remains murky. Analysts point out that during the Obama administration, it took over 20 months to iron out the finer details of a nuclear programme deal, raising questions about the feasibility of a rapid resolution.
The pause on Project Freedom follows a period of limited impact for the operation, with only a handful of ships passing through the strait in its opening hours. Experts suggest that the Iranian response to the operation, including attacks on UAE targets, may have persuaded Trump that the mission would not solve the underlying problem without a diplomatic breakthrough.
As the situation evolves, the focus remains on whether the proposed memorandum can be finalised before the threat of intensified military strikes materialises, leaving the region in a state of cautious optimism tempered by significant uncertainty.
