The Prime Minister of Pakistan, Shehbaz Sharif, welcomed the decision by US President Donald Trump to temporarily pause the “Project Freedom” naval initiative in the Strait of Hormuz, expressing hope that the move could pave the way toward a lasting peace agreement with Iran.
In a statement posted on X, Sharif said Pakistan remains committed to supporting diplomatic efforts aimed at de-escalation and peaceful conflict resolution. He added that Trump’s “gracious response” to requests from Pakistan and other “brotherly countries,” including Saudi Arabia, could help advance regional stability during a sensitive period.
Trump announced the temporary suspension of the US naval initiative, which had aimed to ensure freedom of navigation for commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. He said the decision followed appeals from Pakistan and other states after what he described as “tremendous military success” in US operations targeting Iran-linked maritime activity.
The initiative had been introduced amid escalating tensions over transit rights in the strategic waterway, with Washington asserting the need to secure shipping lanes while Iran insisted that passage requires prior authorization. The situation has further intensified following US and Zionist military strikes on Iran earlier this year, which disrupted maritime traffic in the region.
Although a ceasefire was brokered in April through Pakistani mediation, subsequent talks failed to produce a durable agreement. In response to ongoing tensions, Iran recently introduced a new transit notification system via the Persian Gulf Strait Authority, requiring vessels to comply with updated procedures before receiving passage authorization.
