Trump Pauses Effort to Escort Ships in Strait of Hormuz Maritime Activity Reports, Inc. May 5, 2026 U.S. Marines from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit board M/V Blue Star III, a commercial ship suspected of attempting to transit to Iran in violation of the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports, April 28, 2026. U.S. forces released the vessel after conducting a search and confirming the ship’s voyage would not include an Iranian port call. (U.S. Marine Corps photo) U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday he would briefly pause an operation to help escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz, citing progress toward a comprehensive agreement with Iran. "We have mutually agreed that, while the Blockade will remain in full force and effect, Project Freedom ... will be paused for a short period of time to see whether or not the Agreement can be finalized and signed," Trump wrote on social media. There was no immediate reaction from Tehran, where it was very early on Wednesday morning. Only hours earlier, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio was briefing reporters on the effort to escort stranded tankers through the strait. The day before, the U.S. military said it had destroyed several Iranian small boats, as well as cruise missiles and drones. Rubio and other senior administration officials said Iran could not be allowed to control traffic through the strait. "There's no shooting unless we're shot at first," Rubio told reporters at the White House, where he said the United States has achieved its objectives in its military campaign. "Operation Epic Fury is concluded," Rubio said. "We're not cheering for an additional situation to occur." STRAIT OF HORMUZ REMAINS VIRTUALLY SHUT One of Trump's central objectives in launching military strikes against Iran was to ensure Tehran does not develop a nuclear weapon, something Tehran has denied seeking. However, Iran has not handed over more than 900 pounds of highly enriched uranium. The Strait of Hormuz has also been virtually shut