US President Donald Trump has temporarily halted the controversial “Project Freedom” naval initiative just hours after a US-led escort operation was launched in the region. The decision comes amid growing signals that Washington may pivot toward diplomatic space with Tehran instead of immediate escalation. At the same time, Iran has reportedly restricted or shut down large-scale commercial traffic passing through the Strait of Hormuz, triggering immediate disruption across global oil and cargo supply chains. The Strait, which connects the Persian Gulf to international waters, is responsible for a significant percentage of global energy transport. Before the disruption, nearly 138 vessels passed through the strait daily, according to maritime monitoring authorities. WATCH

Donald Trump has rejected Iran’s latest proposal to end the ongoing conflict, citing unacceptable concessions and reinforcing a strict position on nuclear policy. Despite ongoing negotiations through mediators, the US has made it clear that any agreement must include a firm commitment from Iran to never develop nuclear weapons. Trump has described this as a non-negotiable red line. The president also warned against ending the conflict prematurely, stating that doing so could lead to renewed tensions in the future.