US President Donald Trump has said Pakistan urged Washington to halt “Project Freedom” during ongoing negotiations linked to tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, while praising Pakistan’s civilian and military leadership for their diplomatic role in the crisis.
“Pakistan has been fantastic. Their leaders have been fantastic; the field marshal and the prime minister,” Trump told reporters while responding to a question on the US operation. “We’ll go back to it if we have to. They asked us not to do it during the negotiations,” he said.
“Project Freedom” was a proposed US-led military initiative aimed at escorting commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz amid escalating tensions involving Iran and disruptions to global shipping routes. Reports said the operation was paused after regional concerns over further escalation and parallel diplomatic efforts involving Pakistan and Gulf countries.
Pakistani officials have recently projected Islamabad as playing a mediation role in efforts to secure a temporary truce and ease tensions between the US and Iran. Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had also welcomed Trump’s decision to pause the operation, describing it as a positive step toward dialogue.
Project Freedom
“Project Freedom” is a proposed US-led maritime security initiative aimed at protecting commercial shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz amid rising tensions involving Iran and attacks on cargo vessels in the Gulf region. The operation reportedly involved enhanced naval patrols and possible military escorts for oil tankers and merchant ships passing through the strategically important waterway, through which a good portion of the world’s oil supply is transported.
