[News Today] Trump pauses ‘Project Freedom’

[LEAD]

U.S. President Donald Trump claimed the Korean vessel which suffered an explosion and fire in the Strait of Hormuz, was attacked by Iran after sailing alone through the strait. Shortly after his comment, he said there had been major progress in talks with Iran, and announced a temporary pause in 'Project Freedom', the operation to rescue vessels in the strait.

[REPORT]

U.S. President Donald Trump has declared a pause on Project Freedom shortly after the operation was launched.

He said there were requests by Pakistan and other countries and that great progress has been made in talks with Iran.

But he said the naval blockade will continue.

It appears the U.S. is pausing the operation to see whether a deal can be struck with Iran but wants to have the upper hand in negotiations.

Earlier, Trump said an explosion and fire on a Korean cargo ship was caused by an attack by Iran, urging Seoul to join Project Freedom.

Donald Trump / U.S. President

They were not in the cavalcade of ships they had. They decided to go it alone and their ship got the hell knocked out of it yesterday.

U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth also called on Korea to 'step up'.

The U.S. insists Iran still wants to make a deal and the ceasefire is holding.

It also labeled American military action as a defensive operation.

U.S. media also reports that the Trump administration notified Tehran about Project Freedom one day before it went into operation in the Strait of Hormuz.

Pundits see it as Washington further pressuring Iran regarding talks to end the war while trying to avoid the resumption of conflict.