US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said that “Project Freedom” was halted after Pakistan requested a pause in the initiative, saying that suspending it could create space for a possible agreement.
Speaking during an interview with NBC, Rubio said the United States decided to stop the project in an effort to give diplomacy a chance to move forward.
He added that Washington continues to prefer a diplomatic resolution despite ongoing tensions in the region.
Rubio also claimed that Iranian forces opened fire on American destroyers last week even as the US was attempting to reduce tensions. According to him, divisions within Iran are making diplomatic progress more difficult.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said "Project Freedom" was paused at the request of #Pakistan to give diplomacy with #Iran a chance. Despite U.S. efforts to de-escalate, Iranian forces fired on American destroyers last week. Rubio said Washington still prefers a diplomatic… pic.twitter.com/BOptXHANu7
— Neelotpal Srivastav (@NS_Neelotpal) May 17, 2026
Project Freedom will be paused for a short period of time: Trump
The US President, Donald Trump, announced that ‘Project Freedom’ will be paused for a short period of time.
According to his tweet on Truth Social, Trump said that Iran and the US have mutually agreed that, while the blockade will remain in full force and effect, Project Freedom (The movement of ships through the Strait of Hormuz) will be paused for a short period of time to see whether or not the agreement can be finalised and signed.
Donald Trump once again mentioned Pakistan by saying that he paused the Project Freedom at the request of Pakistan and allies.
In his tweet, he said, “Based on the request of Pakistan and other countries, the tremendous military success that we have had during the campaign against the country of Iran and, additionally, the fact that great progress has been made toward a complete and final agreement with representatives of Iran”
PM Shehbaz thanks President Trump for pausing Project Freedom in Hormuz
Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif thanked President Donald Trump for pausing the project freedom in the Straight of Hormuz.
The Prime Minister stated on his X account that “President Trump’s gracious response to the request made by Pakistan and other brotherly countries, particularly the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and my dear brother Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia H.R.H Prince Mohammed bin Salman, will go a long way towards advancing regional peace, stability and reconciliation during this sensitive period.”
He said Pakistan remains firmly committed to supporting all efforts that promote restraint and a peaceful resolution of conflicts through dialogue and diplomacy. We are very hopeful that the current momentum will lead to a lasting agreement that secures durable peace and stability for the region and beyond.
Also read: Iran’s ambassador Reza Amiri acknowledges Pakistan’s role in US-Iran talks
