President Trump is hitting pause on a newly announced U.S. mission aimed at guiding commercial ships through the Strait of Hormuz, saying he wants to see whether a deal with Iran can still be struck. 

CBS News reports that Trump announced the change Tuesday in a Truth Social post, describing the operation as being on hold “for a short period of time” while the U.S. and Iran make what he called “Great Progress…toward a Complete and Final Agreement.” 

The move comes just two days after Trump unveiled “Project Freedom,” a maritime operation designed to help commercial vessels navigate the narrow waterway, which CBS News says normally carries about one-fifth of the world’s oil. The Strait of Hormuz has become a major turning point in the conflict, with vessel traffic dropping sharply after tensions escalated. 

Trump said the pause was made at the request of Pakistan, which has reportedly helped mediate talks between the U.S. and Iran. He also made clear that one part of the strategy is not changing: the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports will remain in place. 

The decision adds another layer to an already volatile situation, as the administration tries to balance military pressure with diplomacy in one of the world’s most critical shipping lanes.