U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday (May 6, 2026) paused “Project Freedom”, launched earlier in the week and aimed at guiding stranded merchant ships through the Strait of Hormuz, citing “great progress” in talks with Tehran. He added that the war could end if Iran signed a deal, warning that the U.S. would resume bombing if it did not.
When Mr. Trump announced the operation on Monday (May 4, 2026), he said any Iranian response would be dealt with “forcefully”. Iran claimed that it fired at two U.S. destroyers in the strait and pushed them back. The UAE said it was attacked twice by missiles and drones and one of its tankers came under fire. Then came Mr. Trump’s pause.
