May 5 (UPI) -- President Donald Trump announced a pause to Project Freedom on Tuesday night, less than 48 hours after the U.S. military began the operation to escort commercial and tanker vessels through the Iran-restricted shipping lanes of the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump said in the statement published to his Truth Social media platform that the pause was temporary and that Project Freedom could be resumed if a Pakistan-mediated agreement with Iran is not finalized.
He said the announcement was made at the request of Pakistan and other unnamed countries and because of "the fact that Great Progress has been made toward a Complete and Final Agreement with Representatives of Iran."
He also said the pause was "mutually agreed" to, but it was not clear to whom he was referring.
Iran has restricted access to shipping lanes in the Strait of Hormuz since being attacked by the United States and Israel on Feb. 28, causing gas prices to surge and energy crises to loom over some countries.
