ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday welcomed US President Donald Trump’s decision to pause “Project Freedom,” an operation aimed at guiding stranded commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, saying the move would help advance regional peace and stability after Islamabad and other countries urged Washington to halt the operation.
The vessels have remained stranded since the outbreak of the war triggered by US-Israeli strikes on Tehran on Feb. 28, followed by Iran’s decision to blockade the strategic waterway.
Trump announced on Tuesday the United States would temporarily pause the operation following a request from Pakistan and other countries after the initiative heightened tensions around the strategic waterway and triggered exchanges of fire between US and Iranian forces.
“I am grateful to President Donald Trump for his courageous leadership and timely announcement regarding the pause in Project Freedom in the Strait of Hormuz,” Sharif wrote in a post on X.
“President Trump’s gracious response to the request made by Pakistan and other brotherly countries, particularly the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and my dear brother Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia H.R.H Prince Mohammed bin
Salman, will go a long way toward advancing regional peace, stability and reconciliation during this sensitive period.”
Screenshot of PM Shehbaz Sharif X account post
The Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly one-fifth of global oil and gas shipments pass, has remained at the center of tensions between the US and Iran since the outbreak of the war earlier this year.
Trump said the US naval blockade on Iranian ports would remain in place despite the temporary pause in the Hormuz operation, adding that “great progress” had been made toward a possible agreement with Iran, though he did not elaborate on the negotiations.
Tensions had surged after Washington announced “Project Freedom” earlier this week, with Iran warning that any US interference in the strategic waterway would violate the fragile ceasefire between the two countries.
Iranian media later reported that two missiles struck a US Navy vessel in the strait after it ignored warnings from Iran’s navy, though US Central Command denied any ships had been hit and said American forces had targeted small Iranian vessels.
Sharif said Pakistan would continue supporting diplomatic efforts aimed at reducing tensions in the region.
“Pakistan remains firmly committed to supporting all efforts that promote restraint and a peaceful resolution of conflicts through dialogue and diplomacy,” he said.
“We are very hopeful that the current momentum will lead to a lasting agreement that secures durable peace and stability for the region and beyond,” he added.
