The prime minister says the development came in response to requests from Pakistan, other countries, especially Saudi Arabia
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Photo: File
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday expressed gratitude to US President Donald Trump after Trump announced a pause in “Project Freedom”, an operation to escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz, citing “great progress” towards a comprehensive deal with Iran as well as requests from Pakistan and other countries.
In a post on X, the prime minister thanked President Trump for his “courageous leadership and timely announcement”. Prime Minister Shehbaz said the development came in response to requests from Pakistan and “other brotherly countries”, especially “the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and my dear brother Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, Prince Mohammed bin Salman”.
I am grateful to President Donald Trump for his courageous leadership and timely announcement of the pause in Project Freedom in the Strait of Hormuz.
President Trump’s gracious response to the request of Pakistan and other brotherly countries, particularly…
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) 6 May 2026
“The President’s gracious response … will go a long way toward promoting regional peace, stability and reconciliation during this sensitive period,” he wrote.
The prime minister said Pakistan remains “firmly committed to supporting all efforts that promote restraint and the peaceful resolution of conflicts through dialogue and diplomacy”.
He further expressed hope that “the current momentum will lead to a lasting agreement that ensures lasting peace and stability for the region and beyond”.
Hours before Trump’s announcement, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio had outlined the effort that began on Monday to escort stranded tankers out of the Gulf. The strait has been virtually closed since the conflict began, blocking around 20% of the world’s oil supplies and igniting a global energy crisis.
“Based on the request of Pakistan and other countries, the tremendous military success we have had during the campaign…Great progress has been made toward a full and final agreement with representatives of Iran.” He wrote on Truth Social.
Read: Trump sticks to ‘Project Freedom’ citing progress on deal, request from Pakistan
Shortly after Trump’s announcement, U.S. crude oil futures fell $2.30 and broke below $100 a barrel.
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment on what progress had been made or how long the pause would last. Rubio and other senior officials said earlier Tuesday that Iran could not be allowed to control traffic through the strait.
Iran has effectively closed the strait by threatening to deploy mines, drones, missiles and fast attack craft. The US has countered by blocking Iranian ports and mounting escorted transits for commercial ships.
The US military said on Monday it had destroyed several Iranian small boats, as well as cruise missiles and drones.
On February 28, the United States and Israel launched a joint offensive against Iran, and Tehran retaliated with attacks on Israel and other regional countries that host American assets.
The war has been on hold since April 8, when Pakistan brokered a two-week ceasefire. After the cease-fire, Pakistan hosted the highest-level US-Iran talks since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, which ended in Islamabad last weekend without a deal, but the cease-fire was held.
