Iran-US war latest: Trump pauses operation to escort ships through Strait of Hormuz after talks with Tehran

Trump said ‘Project Freedom’ would be paused ‘for a short period of time’

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US president Donald Trump has announced he will pause his plan to escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz, citing “great progress” toward a deal to end the war with Iran.

Trump said the decision to pause “Project Freedom” was “based on the request of Pakistan and other Countries, the tremendous Military Success that we have had during the Campaign against the Country of Iran and, additionally, the fact that Great Progress has been made toward a Complete and Final Agreement with Representatives of Iran”.

The president wrote on Truth Social Tuesday evening, Washington time, that Project Freedom would be paused by “mutual agreement” and it would be “for a short period of time to see whether or not the Agreement can be finalized and signed.”

The US naval blockade of Iranian ports will remain in effect, according to Trump.

Meanwhile, Iranian president Masoud Pezeshkian said the US is pursuing “a policy of maximum pressure” while also expecting Iran to submit to “unilateral demands” – a contradiction he said is “impossible” for Tehran.

Iran’s parliamentary speaker, Mohammad Ghalibaf, earlier said: “We know well that the continuation of the status quo is intolerable for America, while we are just getting started.”

• Marco Rubio defends Trump’s false claim that Pope Leo wants Iran to have a nuke ahead of meeting with pontiff
• What is Project Freedom? Experts warn Trump’s plan to escort ships through Hormuz could backfire
• Middle East ceasefire on the brink as Iran strikes UAE and warns ‘we’re just getting started’
• Trump describes Iran war horrors in Oval Office full of kids: ‘Right between the eyes’

Key Points

• ‘Project Freedom’ to be paused, Trump says
• UAE comes under missile and drone attacks for second consecutive day, defence ministry says
• Iranian foreign minister arrives in Beijing on first visit to China since US attacks on Iran began

Iranian foreign minister arrives in Beijing on first visit to China since US attacks on Iran began

Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi is visiting China for the first time since the US-Israel attacks on Iran began.

The main focus of the trip is maintaining the ceasefire and reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

China has criticised the US blockade of Iranian ports but is also increasingly critical of Iran’s role in closing the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran is seeking clarity on what support China will offer if Tehran agrees to reopen the waterway. A key concern is whether China will continue backing Iran at the UN, especially if new sanctions are proposed.

UAE comes under missile and drone attacks for second consecutive day, defence ministry says

The UAE came under missile and drone attacks for the second consecutive day on Tuesday, according to its defence ministry.

Iran has denied responsibility, with the IRGC saying its forces saying late on Tuesday that they “have not carried out any missile or drone operations against the UAE in recent days”.

“If any action had been taken, we would have announced it firmly and clearly. Therefore, the report of that country’s ministry of defence is absolutely denied and is devoid of any truth,” the IRGC statement carried by the Fars news agency said.

The attacks follow earlier strikes that injured at least three people and caused a fire at a key oil facility in Fujairah.

‘Project Freedom’ to be paused, Trump says

Donald Trump has said “Project Freedom” – the US effort to safely escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz – “will be paused for a short period of time”.

The US president said the move was taken “to see whether or not” an agreement with Iran “can be finalised”.

He added that the decision followed “a request of Pakistan and other countries”.

Briefing: What we know on the 68th day of the US-Israel war on Iran

• Donald Trump has paused “Project Freedom”, the US operation aimed at guiding stranded vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, to allow space for negotiations with Iran.
• The US naval blockade of Iranian ports will remain in effect, according to Trump.
• Marco Rubio said ⁠the US had ⁠made some adjustments ‌to a draft ‌UN resolution ‌on ⁠the Strait of Hormuz to try and avoid vetoes ‌by ​China ‌and ⁠Russia.
• A cargo ⁠vessel has been struck by ⁠an ​unknown ⁠projectile within ⁠the ​Strait ⁠of Hormuz, ‌the United Kingdom Maritime ‌Trade Operations ‌agency ⁠said on Tuesday.
• Donald Trump has claimed that Iran has “no chance” and “never did” as he boasted about wiping out the country’s military capabilities.

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