Iran Continues to Attack US Warships Despite Requests Not to Disrupt Project Freedom, Trump Then Halts Operation
REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, WASHINGTON – The United States government reportedly sent a confidential message to Iran on Sunday (3/5/2026) stating that the Pentagon would begin operations in the Strait of Hormuz to escort ships attempting to exit that route. The Axios news portal, on Tuesday (5/5/2026), citing US officials and related sources, reported that the White House wants to prevent escalation and thus asked Tehran not to disrupt the operation, which was later announced as Project Freedom.
However, the report states that Iran is suspected of attacking a US Navy vessel. On the same day, US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said Washington was communicating with Iran both openly and confidentially to ensure Tehran does not obstruct the implementation of Project Freedom.
Just two days into the Project Freedom operation, US President Donald Trump stated on Wednesday (6/5/2026) that he had decided to postpone Project Freedom, which aims to guarantee navigational freedom in the Strait of Hormuz, to see if a peace agreement with Iran can be reached. Trump justified his decision as being at the request of several countries.
“Basing on the request of Pakistan and other countries, the extraordinary military success we have achieved during the military operations against the Iranian country, and additionally, the fact that great progress has been made towards a complete and final agreement with the Iranian representatives,” Trump wrote on the Truth Social platform.
“We have agreed together that, while the blockade will remain fully in place, Project Freedom (ship movement through the Strait of Hormuz) will be paused for a short time to see if that agreement (peace with Iran) can be finalised and signed,” Trump continued.
Trump announced Project Freedom on 3 May. The US Central Command (CENTCOM) stated that military support for this initiative includes guided-missile destroyers, more than 100 land and sea aircraft, multi-domain unmanned platforms, and 15,000 personnel. The operation began on Monday morning (4/5/2026).