It lasted less than a week, but “Project Freedom” has already done its job, if you believe Donald Trump.
The US president announced on Thursday that America will pause its naval operation to escort commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, citing meaningful progress toward a nuclear deal with Iran. The operation, which only launched on Monday, was designed to keep one of the world’s most critical shipping lanes open amid rising tensions in the region.
The Strait of Hormuz is no minor waterway. Roughly 20% of the world’s oil passes through it, and any serious disruption there sends shockwaves through global energy markets almost immediately. Iran has threatened to close the strait before, most recently during periods of heightened friction with Washington over sanctions and the country’s nuclear programme.
Trump told reporters the halt was a sign of good faith.
“We’ve made a lot of progress. We don’t need to do that right now,”
he said, suggesting negotiations with Tehran were moving in a direction he felt comfortable with.
It’s a striking reversal of tone from an administration that spent much of its first term applying maximum pressure to Iran through sanctions and the assassination of General Qasem Soleimani in 2020. Whether this represents a genuine diplomatic pivot or simply reflects Trump’s well-documented preference for announcing wins early, it’s hard to say.
Iran’s response has been cautious so far. Officials in Tehran have acknowledged talks are ongoing but haven’t confirmed any breakthrough, and hardliners within the country’s political establishment remain deeply sceptical of any agreement that doesn’t fully lift existing sanctions.
For shipping companies and oil traders, the news brings temporary relief, though few will be making long-term plans based on one White House statement. Freight insurance premiums in the Gulf region had already crept up over the past fortnight as tensions simmered.
The bigger question now is whether a deal actually materialises, or whether “Project Freedom” quietly restarts in a month’s time with little fanfare and even less explanation.
