Trump pauses effort to escort ships in Strait of Hormuz, citing deal progress

US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday, May 5, he would briefly pause an operation to help escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz, citing “great progress” toward a comprehensive agreement with Iran.

Hours earlier, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio had outlined the effort that began on Monday, May 4, to escort stranded tankers out of the Gulf. The strait has been virtually shut since the conflict began, blocking about 20% of global oil supplies and triggering a global energy crisis.

“We have mutually agreed that, while the Blockade will remain in full force and effect, Project Freedom … will be paused for a short period of time to see whether or not the Agreement can be finalized and signed,” Trump wrote on social media.

There was no immediate reaction from Tehran, where it was early on Wednesday morning, May 6.

Shortly after Trump’s post, US crude oil futures fell $2.30 and broke below $100 per barrel, a closely watched threshold since the conflict drove energy prices higher two months ago.

The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment on what progress had been made or how long the pause would last.

Rubio and other senior administration officials said earlier on Tuesday that Iran could not be allowed to control traffic through the strait.

Iran has effectively sealed off the strait by threatening to deploy mines, drones, missiles, and fast-attack craft. The US has countered by blockading Iranian ports and mounting escorted transits for commercial vessels.

The US military said on Monday it had destroyed several Iranian small boats, as well as cruise missiles and drones.

Rubio says main operation is over

Rubio told reporters at the White House that the US had achieved its objectives in its military campaign, which was launched on February 28 alongside Israel.

“Operation Epic Fury is concluded,” Rubio said. “We’re not cheering for an additional situation to occur.”

One of Trump’s central objectives in launching military strikes against Iran was to ensure Tehran does not develop a nuclear weapon, something Iran has denied seeking. However, Iran has not handed over more than 900 pounds of highly enriched uranium.

While Rubio was speaking, Britain’s Maritime Trade Operations agency reported that a cargo vessel had been struck by a projectile in the strait. Further details were not immediately available.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said earlier on Tuesday that the US had successfully secured a path through the waterway and that hundreds of commercial ships were lining up to pass through. He added that the four-week-old truce with Iran was still holding.

“Right now the ceasefire certainly holds, but we’re going to be watching very, very closely,” he said.

General Dan Caine, chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, said Iranian attacks against US forces had fallen “below the threshold of restarting major combat operations.”

Asked what Iran would need to do to violate the ceasefire, Trump said: “They know what not to do.”

‘Right to respond’

Shortly after Hegseth spoke, the UAE’s defense ministry said its air defenses were again responding to missile and drone attacks from Iran, though Iran’s military denied carrying out attacks.

The UAE foreign ministry called the attacks a serious escalation and said the country reserved its “full and legitimate right” to respond.

Iran’s foreign ministry rejected Abu Dhabi’s statements, saying its actions were solely aimed at repelling US aggression.

The US military said on Monday that two US merchant ships had passed through the strait under escort, while shipping company Maersk said the Alliance Fairfax, a US-flagged vessel, exited the Gulf under US military protection.

Iran denied any crossings had taken place.

Pakistan’s mediation efforts continue

The war has killed thousands as it spread beyond Iran into Lebanon and the Gulf, and disrupted the global economy. The head of the International Monetary Fund said on Tuesday that even if the conflict ended immediately, it would take three to four months to address the fallout.

Rubio said 10 civilian sailors had died in the conflict and that crews on stranded ships were “starving” and “isolated.”

Trump said Iran’s military had been reduced to firing “peashooters” and claimed Tehran wanted peace despite public threats.

The conflict is also adding pressure on Trump’s administration ahead of midterm elections in November, as rising gas prices hit voters.

Trump has said US-Israeli strikes aim to eliminate what he called imminent threats from Iran, citing its nuclear and ballistic missile programs and support for Hamas and Hezbollah.

Iran has called the attacks a violation of sovereignty and insists its nuclear program is peaceful under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

Diplomatic efforts to end the conflict have so far failed. US and Iranian officials have held one round of face-to-face talks, but further meetings have not been scheduled.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said peace talks were continuing with Pakistan’s mediation.

He arrived in Beijing on Wednesday for talks with his Chinese counterpart on bilateral and regional issues, Iranian media reported. Trump is also due to visit China this month. – Rappler.com