US announces end to Epic Fury and suspension of Project Freedom; Rubio warns peace requires Iran to accept US demands

Highlights:

Trump pauses “Project Freedom” for a short time to support talks with Iran.

The US blockade on Iranian ports will still continue.

Only a few ships have passed through the Strait of Hormuz so far.

Oil prices have risen sharply due to the disruption.

Iran has not yet officially responded to Trump’s announcement.

---

President Donald Trump said he is pausing 'Project Freedom' as the US plans to guide ships through the Strait of Hormuz. He said this pause will last for a short period. He hopes it will still help finalize a deal with Iran to end the conflict. President Trump announced on social media. He said the decision came after requests from Pakistan and other countries. He also said it followed US military success against Iran and progress toward a final agreement.

Although Iran has not yet confirmed or commented on this move, even though Project Freedom started only on Monday (4), Trump decided to stop it temporarily. However, he said the US blockade on Iranian ports will remain in place.

Earlier, US officials said the situation in the Middle East was calmer. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the ceasefire was still holding, although the conflict is not fully resolved. He added that the main US military operation against Iran has ended. “The operation is over. Epic Fury, as the president notified Congress, we’re done with that stage of it,” Rubio said.

Rubio also said that for peace to be achieved, Iran must accept US demands. These include limits on its nuclear program and reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

President Trump's decision to pause Project Freedom seemed at odds with what officials had said earlier. Defense secretary Pete Hegseth has said the US had secured a safe path through the strait. He said many ships were waiting to pass. “We know the Iranians are embarrassed by this fact. They said they control the Strait. They do not,” he said.

Rubio later said the US was helping ships move through the strait as a 'favor to the world, because we're the only ones that can.' At the same time, a cargo ship reported it was hit by an unknown projectile.

Rubio also said that he hopes China will push Iran to reopen the strait. Iran's foreign minister is visiting China, and the US believes Beijing can influence Tehran.

So far, only two merchant ships have passed through the US-protected route. Hundreds of ships are still stuck in the Persian Gulf. Around 23,000 crew members are waiting. Iran’s control of the strait has affected global trade. The strait is a key route for oil, gas, and other products. Because of this, fuel prices have increased, and the global economy is under pressure.

The United Arab Emirates said it was attacked again by Iranian drones and missiles. Iran denied these claims. Hegseth and General Dan Caine said the recent clashes are not large-scale fighting. Caine described the day as “quieter.” “The ceasefire is not over,” Hegseth said.

Rubio said US actions in the strait are defensive.“There’s no shooting unless we’re shot at first, OK?” Rubio said. “We’re not attacking them.” The Trump administration is also facing pressure from Congress. Under US law, presidents usually need approval for military action after 60 days.

Before the deadline last week, a senior official said the US had ended hostilities with Iran after the April 8 ceasefire. Meanwhile, rising gas prices are causing concern. The average price in the US went above $4.50 per gallon for the first time since July 2022. Brent crude oil prices stayed around $108 after Trump’s announcement.

Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf said Iran has not fully responded to US actions yet. He suggested the current situation is difficult for the US but said Iran has not taken full action. Negotiations between the US and Iran are happening indirectly through Pakistan.
Iran also denied US claims about sinking boats. An Iranian commander said two civilian cargo boats were hit, and five civilians were killed.

General Caine said over 100 US military aircraft are active in the area. The US has kept a naval blockade on Iran since April 13, limiting its oil exports. A major shipping company said it is still too risky to send ships through the strait. Experts say companies are waiting to see how the situation develops.