Trump Pauses Hormuz Ship Escorts Amid Back-Channel Talks With Iran

President Donald Trump announced a temporary halt to U.S. efforts to escort stranded commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday evening. The President attributed the pause to requests from regional mediators like Pakistan and signaled progress toward a "Complete and Final Agreement" with Tehran. While the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports remains in place, Trump noted that recent military successes have provided the leverage necessary for diplomacy. However, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf downplayed the negotiations, stating on social media that Iran has yet to begin its full response to U.S. actions. On the humanitarian front, Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned of a "dire" situation in the Persian Gulf, where approximately 23,000 sailors from 87 countries remain stranded due to the maritime standoff. Rubio reported at least 10 civilian deaths attributed to starvation and isolation. Meanwhile, the United Arab Emirates was forced to restrict its airspace for a second consecutive day following Iranian drone and missile activity. While Iran's joint military command has denied these specific attacks, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif issued a formal condemnation of the strikes against the UAE. Pentagon officials, including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, clarified that the April 7 ceasefire has not been abandoned despite "Project Freedom" operations and repeated Iranian provocations. Hegseth emphasized that the U.S. is not seeking an escalation or entry into Iranian territory, describing recent maritime engagements as defensive. General Dan Caine confirmed that while IRGC fast-boat attacks persist, they have not yet constituted a formal breach of the ceasefire. Secretary Rubio added that major offensive operations, such as the February strikes known as Operation Epic Fury, have concluded successfully.