New turn in the Strait of Hormuz crisis. announced this Tuesday the suspension of the US military operation named “, a mission that had only been underway for a few days and whose objective was to guarantee the safe passage of merchant ships in one of the most sensitive energy routes on the planet.
The decision, as the president himself explained in Truth Social, comes after detecting “considerable progress towards an agreement” with Iran.
From military escalation… to diplomatic pause
The movement represents a significant change in tone after weeks of tension in the Middle East. The operation had been presented as a response to the registered attacks and blockades, where incidents with drones, small boats and military maneuvers have occurred.
The United States had deployed naval escorts and reinforced its military presence in the area, although the practical result was limited: only a few ships managed to cross under American protection.
Now, Trump chooses to partially freeze the operation to check if there is real margin to close an agreement with Tehran.
Pakistan enters the scene
One of the most striking elements of the announcement is that Trump claims to have made the decision “at the request of Pakistan”an actor who has gained prominence as an indirect intermediary in the talks between Washington and Iran.
Although the president did not give details about the negotiations, the message points to a more diplomatic phase of the conflict after weeks marked by crossed threats and military tension.
Yes indeed, The White House insists that the naval blockade on Iran will remain active. What is stopped is only the specific military escort operation.
Washington tries to tone down
Hours before the announcement, the Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, had already given clues about the change in strategy.
“Operation ‘Epic Fury’ is over”he stated, ensuring that the offensive launched against Iran on February 28 had concluded and that the United States was now entering a “defensive” phase.
The message seems designed to convey a clear idea: Washington wants to avoid a direct escalation while trying to maintain pressure on Tehran.
A strait turned into a symbol of the crisis
The Strait of Hormuz remains the epicenter of global tension. Around a fifth of the world’s oil passes through this sea route, which turns any incident into a first-level geopolitical and economic problem.
In recent weeks, the region has seen attacks on ships, military operations, Iranian threats and constant movements of US and allied forces.
The suspension of “Project Freedom” does not mean that the crisis is over. Rather, it reflects something different: that Washington seems to assume that the solution will hardly come through military means alone.
