Trump says US to pause operation to guide vessels through Strait of Hormuz

May 6, 2026

President Trump announced a temporary pause to "Project Freedom," the US operation guiding stranded vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, citing progress toward a diplomatic deal with Iran despite ongoing tensions. The operation, which began just days earlier, was halted at Pakistan's request as an intermediary, though the US blockade of Iranian ports continues. The pause contradicts statements from top US officials who had emphasized the mission's importance, and comes amid reports of continued attacks on vessels in the strait and Iranian drone strikes on UAE targets.

Who is affected

Global shipping companies and insurance firms operating in the Strait of Hormuz
Iran (facing US blockade and economic pressure)
United Arab Emirates (targeted by missiles and drones)
Pakistan (acting as intermediary)
United States and Israel (military operations participants)
Commercial vessels stranded in or attempting to transit the strait
Countries dependent on oil and gas transit through the waterway (approximately 20% of global supply)
Japan and China (involved in diplomatic discussions about reopening)

What action is being taken

The US blockade of Iranian ports remains in place
UK Maritime Trade Operations is monitoring and reporting vessel strikes in the Strait of Hormuz
UAE air defenses are engaging missiles and drones from Iran
Trump is discussing the strait's reopening with Japan and expects to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping about it during his China visit next week
US officials are monitoring Iran's attacks to determine if they breach the ceasefire threshold

Why it matters

This situation has critical global economic implications because the Strait of Hormuz is a chokepoint for approximately 20% of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas supplies. The inability to safely transit commercial vessels through this waterway disrupts global energy markets, risks price spikes, and prevents the global economy from returning to normalcy. The pause in US operations creates uncertainty about whether shipping can resume, and any failure to restore safe passage would undermine Trump's stated objectives while demonstrating Iran's continued ability to control this vital waterway despite US military pressure.

What's next

Trump expects to have a conversation with Chinese President Xi Jinping about the strait's reopening during his visit to China next week
The administration will continue monitoring whether Iranian actions breach the ceasefire threshold
The outcome of negotiations between the US and Iran (with Pakistan as intermediary) will determine whether Project Freedom resumes or a diplomatic deal is reached
The effectiveness of the pause period will be assessed based on whether global shipping firms and insurance companies can safely operate despite potential Iranian interference

Read full article from source: BBC