US pauses naval escorts in Strait of Hormuz amid renewed Iran dialogue

The United States has paused its effort to escort commercial ships through the Strait of Hormuz, after weeks of indirect talks with Iran, officials have said. 

Discussions between Washington and Tehran have continued through intermediaries, with Pakistan relaying messages between the two sides, US media reported. 

While recent direct talks in Islamabad produced no agreement, signs of progress have emerged.

The US is maintaining pressure through a blockade of Iranian ports while suspending escorts, a step aimed at preserving leverage and advancing negotiations toward a possible diplomatic resolution.

The initiative, known as Project Freedom, relied on US military, air and naval assets to safeguard maritime traffic in one of the world’s most critical waterways.