MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
Just one day after its launch, Trump halts Hormuz reopening operation and turns to negotiations with Iran
US President Donald Trump on Tuesday night announced the suspension of “Project Freedom,” the military operation launched barely 24 hours earlier to escort stranded vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, citing significant progress toward a peace agreement with Iran. The announcement, posted on his Truth Social platform, contradicted the messaging sustained throughout the day by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, and Joint Chiefs chairman General Dan Caine, all of whom had framed the operation as a non-negotiable humanitarian rescue mission for stranded sailors. Read full article
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Disclaimer & comment rulesIt's TACO Tuesday again !
May 06th, 2026 - 03:03 am - Link - Report abuse +2The use of the term “below the threshold” for resumption of hostilities made me remember a first-class, intelligent and thinking U.S. General who led troops in Afghanistan. General Stanley Mchrystal devised a strategy of “courageous restraint” which effectively meant taking fire, without over the top or indeed any response. This was to minimise civilian casualties,by avoiding use of indirect fire weapons, dumb bombs etc in civilian areas.
May 06th, 2026 - 11:50 am - Link - Report abuse +1It had mixed support from the troops on the ground as they favoured overwhelming kinetic response (sound familiar?); but there is evidence it brought the civilian populace back toward a form of neutrality toward KFOR troops. With an eye on post-conflict relationships and a possible reset, then I cannot help but think, that an apology by those/the country that perpetrated the killing of 160 plus Iranian schoolchildren on the early days of the war, might make the general populace less supportive of their regime. The silence on this matter is deafening to my ears.
Early days as yet but small steps.
The Iranians do not need a Nuclear bomb they have the Strait of Hormuz
May 06th, 2026 - 07:38 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Imoyaro
May 06th, 2026 - 09:58 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Sorry, but again I would disagree here.
The blockade of Iranian ports really hurt, hence the reaction, but it concentrated Iranian minds.
Successfully escorting ships out of the Gulf, despite all Iranian opposition, changes the dynamic because they can do it again and again, as often as they want.
Stopping at this point is not really a concession, he has made his point.
Also, China and others will need this to be resolved before the US midterm elections.
He is learning, even (some) patients.
Who would have thought it.
A bit of reality and cutting through the Bullshit
May 07th, 2026 - 07:30 pm - Link - Report abuse -1https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mli3ASEjtN4
Actually, the Saudis denied him access to their territory land, sea, and airspace, making it impossible for him to continue. It has nothing to do with patience, just hard reality. Watch for the next lie... ;)
May 07th, 2026 - 09:41 pm - Link - Report abuse +2Except, for that operation, you do not touch Saudi waters or airspace, and they certainly don’t need to use Saudi airbases.
May 07th, 2026 - 11:23 pm - Link - Report abuse -1https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/1d/Iranian_borders_in_Omans_and_Persian_Gulf_%28Cro%29.PNG?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=index&utm_content=original
They went through the south side of the straight, Emirati/Omani territorial waters/airspace all the way.
Surprised to hear ‘reports’ the Saudis are objecting, no confirmation I know of. Perhaps they just weren’t told about it.
Pakistan thanked him for suspending the operation, to allow for diplomacy.
Since then, the latest proposal by the US, initially described in Theran as a ‘wish list’ (probably partly true), has been under consideration for two days now, including a meeting with the supreme leader.
It could have been rejected out of hand.
It has moved things along.
Next lie! I don’t think I have heard anything ‘true’ from either side, so far.
“Next lie! I don’t think I have heard anything ‘true’ from either side, so far”
May 08th, 2026 - 12:03 am - Link - Report abuse -1Exactly!
;).
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