The U.S. announced Monday that American forces have cleared a route that will allow ships to pass through the Strait of Hormuz and get around Iran\u2019s effective closure of the vital shipping lane.<\/p>\n
The U.S.-led Joint Maritime Information Center told crews that an “enhanced security area” was established for ships to navigate the strait through Omani waters. The new passageway is clear of Iranian mines, Adm. Brad Cooper, commander of U.S. Central Command, told reporters.<\/p>\n
Cooper said Iran launched missiles, drones, and small boats at civilian ships that were under U.S. military protection and “each and every” threat has been defeated. He added that six of those small boats had been sunk.<\/p>\n
On Tuesday evening, however, President Donald Trump announced the plan would be put on hold at the request of Pakistan and other nations. The president also cited “great progress” reaching a final agreement with Iran.<\/p>\n
Here is the latest from Tuesday:<\/p>\n
“Project Freedom” put on hold<\/p>\n
7:17 p.m. ET: The United States is pausing its plan to help guide ships that are stranded in the Persian Gulf to navigate through the Strait of Hormuz and reach their destinations.<\/p>\n
President Donald Trump announced that the Project Freedom initiative launched Monday will be put on hold, adding that the ongoing U.S. blockade of Iran will remain in effect.<\/p>\n
In a social media post, Trump explained that Pakistan, which is moderating talks between the U.S. and Iran, and other nations have asked for the delay.<\/p>\n
The president also noted that “great progress” has been made toward a final agreement with Iran and that the move will give time to see if a deal can be reached.<\/p>\n
Rubio on plight of stranded sailors<\/p>\n
5:57 p.m. ET: Secretary of State described Iran’s shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz as piracy, saying there is no international law that lets countries place mines in international waters and threaten passing ships.<\/p>\n
“That is what Iran is doing,” Rubio stated during a news conference. “This is a criminal act and someone needs to do something about it. Something needs to be done.”<\/p>\n
Explaining that crew members on ships trapped in the Strait of Hormuz are running out of food and supplies, Rubio called them “innocent bystanders” and “sitting ducks” at the hands of Iran.<\/p>\n
Rubio said he is looking forward to the United Nations voting on a Security Council resolution to create a humanitarian corridor through the vital waterway. He said later that the draft proposal had been modified to avoid a veto by Iranian allies.<\/p>\n
Iran sends ‘firm’ warning to stray ships<\/p>\n
3:07 p.m. ET: Iran’s Revolutionary Guards sent out a new warning to any vessels that strays away from an approved route in the Strait of Hormuz will face a \u2018firm response\u2019 from the regime.<\/p>\n
“We warn all vessels planning to transit the Strait of Hormuz that the only safe passage is the corridor previously announced by Iran,” it said in a statement carried by state television, according to The Times of Israel. “Any diversion of ships to other routes is dangerous and will result in a firm response from the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Navy.”<\/p>\n
Iran accuses US of violating ceasefire<\/p>\n
6:26 a.m. ET: Iran’s parliamentary speaker and chief negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, accused the United States of undermining shipping security in the Strait of Hormuz.<\/p>\n
In a social media post, he said that Iran has not responded to the U.S. attempt to reopen the strait, “We know full well that the continuation of the status quo is intolerable for America; while we have not even begun yet.”<\/p>\n
The Source: Information for this article was taken from FOX News and The Associated Press. This story was reported from Orlando.<\/p>\n
#StraitOfHormuz #Trump #IranDeal #USDiplomacy #PersianGulf #MaritimeSecurity #ProjectFreedom #Pakistan #InternationalRelations #MiddleEast<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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