U.S. insists Iran ceasefire not over despite attacks in Strait of Hormuz

BREAKING NEWSUpdated an hour agoIran warIran warU.S. insists Iran ceasefire not over despite attacks in Strait of HormuzIran has “not even begun yet” in the standoff over the critical waterway, a top official warned Tuesday, after Tehran attacked ships that were part of the new American "Project Freedom." Trump said Tuesday evening that the operation was being paused.Listen to this article with a free account00:0000:00 body:has(.jw-flag-floating) .article-hero__container, body:has(.jw-flag-floating) .article-hero__media-holder, body:has(.jw-flag-floating) #content { z-index: auto; } Add NBC News to GoogleUS and Iran Trade Strikes in Strait of Hormuz as Tensions Escalate02:18Get more newsLiveonShareAdd NBC News to GoogleMay 5, 2026, 6:23 AM EDT / Updated May 5, 2026, 6:16 PM EDTBy Yuliya Talmazan and Rebecca ShabadThe ceasefire in the Middle East was in peril Tuesday after the United States and Iran traded fire and threats over President Donald Trump's new mission to force open the Strait of Hormuz. Subscribe to read this story ad-free Get unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content.But Trump announced on Tuesday evening that the effort to force the strait open, called "Project Freedom," was being put on hold."Based on the request of Pakistan and other Countries, the tremendous Military Success that we have had during the Campaign against the Country of Iran and, additionally, the fact that Great Progress has been made toward a Complete and Final Agreement with Representatives of Iran, we have mutually agreed that, while the Blockade will remain in full force and effect, Project Freedom (The Movement of Ships through the Strait of Hormuz) will be paused for a short period of time to see whether or not the Agreement can be finalized and signed," Trump wrote on Truth Social. Trump's “Project Freedom” aimed to use the U.S. military to break Tehran’s chokehold on the critical waterway, which has throttled international shipping and sent energy pr...