[52518] Peak tension in the Gulf: Trump halts 'Project Freedom' in an attempt to reach an agreement with Iran

Peak tension in the Strait of Hormuz: Trump suspends "Project Freedom"

The tension in the Persian Gulf has reached its peak in the last day, as the President of the United States, Donald Trump, announced a temporary suspension of Project Freedom – a maritime operation intended to escort merchant ships through the Strait of Hormuz. According to Trump, as published on Vahid Online, the decision was made at the request of Pakistan and other countries, due to "great progress on the way to a full and final agreement" with representatives of Iran. However, Trump clarified that the naval blockade on Iranian ports will continue with full force.

At the same time, Iran International reports that the US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, confirmed that the US destroyed seven Iranian speedboats and that ten sailors were killed in the recent clashes. According to the report, Rubio emphasized that the US will continue to act against "outlaw regimes" to ensure freedom of navigation. On the other hand, sources identified with the regime in Iran, including خبرفوری and سپاه پاسداران, deny the damage to their ships and claim that the US attacked civilian fishing boats, which led to the deaths of five civilians.

The diplomatic and military arena is saturated with contradictory messages. The Speaker of the Iranian Parliament, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, noted on شبکه ایکس that "the new strait equation is stabilizing" and warned that "the enemy's influence will diminish." At the same time, the US Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, clarified on Iran International that the US has established a "defensive dome" over the Persian Gulf and that any attack by Iran will be met with "devastating firepower."

Among experts and analysts, there is skepticism regarding the success of the American plan. آخرین خبر, which is close to the regime, cited reports that international shipping companies are afraid to pass through the strait without coordination with Iran, and note that Iran possesses "full capacity" to control maritime traffic. At the same time, Iran International reported that analysts believe Iran is trying to make bypass export routes, such as the Port of Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates, unsafe as well.

Trump continued his aggressive line and claimed on Vahid Online that "Iran is in a state of survival" and that its economy is collapsing. Conversely, political figures and analysts in the US, such as those quoted in اخبار فوری جنگ ایران, warn that Trump's pressure strategy has not led to significant achievements and has brought about a sharp rise in energy prices in the US.