The fragile U.S.-Iran ceasefire is holding for now as President Trump pauses Project Freedom to allow negotiations — aided by Pakistan's mediation — to proceed. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth described the escort operation through the Strait of Hormuz as a separate, temporary defensive mission and warned U.S. forces are prepared to resume major operations if needed. China pressed Iran for a comprehensive ceasefire, while the UAE and several commercial vessels reported new attacks. A proposed U.N. resolution would threaten sanctions if Iran does not stop strikes, clear mines and allow safe navigation.
U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Holds as Trump Pauses Project Freedom; Hegseth Warns Forces 'Locked, Loaded'
A U.S. Sailor observes flight operations from aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS Michael Murphy in the Arabian Sea, amid an ongoing U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports and vessels, in a photo shared by U.S. Central Command on May 5, 2026. / Credit: CENTCOM/Handout
President Trump announced Tuesday that the U.S. will pause Project Freedom as negotiations with Iran — mediated in part by Pakistan — have made what he called "Great Progress" toward a final agreement. The pause, Trump said on Truth Social, is temporary and the existing U.S. blockade of Iranian ports and Iran-linked vessels remains in place.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told reporters the U.S.-Iran ceasefire "certainly holds" for now and described Project Freedom — the recent initiative to escort commercial ships through the Strait of Hormuz — as a separate, defensive and temporary mission. Hegseth stressed that U.S. forces are prepared to resume major combat operations if Iran fails to honor any deal.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the offensive phase known as Operation Epic Fury has concluded, with U.S. forces transitioning to the narrower defensive aim of protecting commercial shipping. Rubio reiterated that U.S. naval vessels will continue to defend themselves after destroyers repelled a sustained Iranian attack while escorting two ships through the strait.
Regional Violence and Diplomacy
The United Arab Emirates reported missile-and-drone strikes from Iran for a second consecutive day after Tehran launched 15 missiles at the UAE on Monday, injuring at least three workers. Several commercial vessels in the Gulf region have been damaged in recent days: U.S. officials told CBS News that the French-owned CGM San Antonio was struck by what may have been a land-attack cruise missile, while South Korea's HMM NAMU was disabled and awaited tow to Dubai. Danish shipping company Maersk confirmed that the U.S.-flagged ALLIANCE FAIRFAX exited the Persian Gulf under U.S. escort without incident.
The minesweeping vessel
China's top diplomat Wang Yi met Iran's deputy foreign minister Abbas Araghchi in Beijing, saying China was "deeply distressed" by the conflict and urging an urgent, comprehensive ceasefire. Araghchi said Tehran would only accept a "fair and comprehensive agreement" and pledged to protect Iran's legitimate rights in negotiations.
Diplomatic Pressure and U.N. Action
The United States and Gulf partners circulated a draft U.N. Security Council resolution threatening Iran with sanctions or other measures if it does not stop attacks on ships, cease imposing what Washington calls "illegal tolls," and disclose mine locations to restore safe navigation. That effort follows an earlier, diluted draft that was vetoed by China and Russia.
U.S. officials are also pressing Iraq's next prime minister to take concrete steps to separate the state from pro-Iran militias before Washington resumes suspended financial transfers and security assistance. A senior State Department official said measures such as removing militias from state institutions and cutting budgetary support would be among the steps Washington expects.
Military Posture and Maritime Operations
Central Command said 51 vessels have been directed to turn back or return to port under the U.S. blockade, and Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, estimated more than 1,500 vessels with roughly 22,500 mariners remain inside the Persian Gulf amid the blockade. Caine and Hegseth said U.S. forces in the region include more than 15,000 service members and over 100 aircraft providing defensive overwatch.
/ Credit: CBS News
Hegseth described Project Freedom as focused on protecting innocent commercial shipping and said U.S. assets do not need to enter Iranian territorial waters or airspace for the mission. He warned that the U.S. remains ready to "restart major combat operations" if needed but said the preference is for a diplomatic resolution.
Statements From Regional Actors
Iran's Revolutionary Guard warned it would respond to any vessel that diverges from the route Iran has declared safe through the strait. Iranian officials and IRGC-linked media also claimed some tankers continue to reach Asian customers despite the blockade. Meanwhile, Israel's military and new air force chief reiterated their readiness to respond forcefully to threats from Iran.
President Trump said he does not want to send U.S. ground forces into Iran and emphasized the administration prefers a negotiated settlement. He said Iran "knows what to do and what not to do" to avoid violating the ceasefire threshold.
Outlook
The pause in Project Freedom creates a short window for negotiators to attempt to finalize an agreement. But continuing missile and drone strikes, additional attacks on commercial vessels, and hawkish statements from regional and Iranian commanders mean the situation remains volatile. Diplomacy — including Pakistan's mediation and China’s diplomatic engagement — will be central in the coming days as international actors test whether the fragile ceasefire can hold.
Key sources: Statements from the White House, the U.S. Department of Defense, CENTCOM, Maersk, the UAE Defense Ministry, and reporting from CBS News, AFP and Reuters.
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