US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday (May 5) that the US operation to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, dubbed “Project Freedom”, will be paused for a short period to see whether an agreement with Iran can be finalised and signed, although a blockade on Iranian ports will remain in force.

“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 finalised and signed,” said Trump in a post on Truth Social. 

He cited requests from key mediator Pakistan and other countries as one of the reasons for the pause. 

The US’ “tremendous military success” and “great progress” made in coming to an agreement with Iran were also factors that led to this decision, he added. 

Project Freedom’s launch on Monday caused a surge in tensions between the two countries, prompting an exchange of fire.

However, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Tuesday that the US has completed its offensive operations against Iran, even as Washington warned it was ready to unleash a “devastating” response to any new attacks on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.

Rubio’s remarks came after Washington’s top military officer said American forces remain ready to resume combat operations if ordered, as clashes in the vital waterway threatened to unravel a fragile ceasefire.

The warnings came after Iran’s chief negotiator said Tehran “had not even started yet”, following a spate of attacks in the crucial trade route.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards navy had warned of a “firm response” if ships deviated from its approved route through the strait.