Fresh optimism has emerged over a possible agreement between the United States and Iran after President Donald Trump announced a pause in a planned naval operation to escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump said the suspension of the initiative, known as “Project Freedom,” was intended to create space for ongoing negotiations, which he suggested were making significant progress toward a comprehensive deal.
“Great progress has been made toward a complete and final agreement,” Trump wrote on social media, adding that the operation would be temporarily halted to allow time for a potential agreement to be finalised.
Despite the pause, the United States is maintaining its blockade of Iranian ports, while Tehran continues its own restrictions on the strategic waterway, a key global route for oil and gas shipments—amid tensions sparked by the ongoing conflict in the region.
Expressing optimism, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said recent developments could pave the way for a lasting resolution. He described Trump’s move as a positive step that could help revive negotiations and stabilise the region.
Reports indicate that Washington and Tehran may be close to agreeing on a preliminary framework that could lead to a broader peace deal, potentially involving a short-term negotiation period in locations such as Geneva or Islamabad.
Meanwhile, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi held talks in Beijing, China with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi, focusing on efforts to end the conflict. Following the meeting, China called for an immediate cessation of hostilities and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
Earlier, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio had urged China to use its influence to press Iran to lift the blockade, warning that continued disruption of the waterway could further isolate Tehran internationally.
The Strait of Hormuz remains a critical artery for global energy supplies, and any breakthrough in negotiations could have far-reaching implications for international markets and regional stability.
