• US President Donald Trump announced Operation ‘Project Freedom’ to secure passage through the Strait of Hormuz, but soon ordered a pause.
  • Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that something urgently needs to be done, but Trump decided to pause the operation.
  • About 20,000 sailors on ships waiting to pass through the strait remain blocked.
  • The pause in the operation indicates the possibility of a diplomatic solution to the conflict with Iran.