Trump Announces Pause in ‘Project Freedom’ Amid Progress On Iran Deal
Trump Announces Pause in ‘Project Freedom’ Amid Progress On Iran Deal
President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday that “Project Freedom,” the U.S. initiative aimed at ensuring safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, will be temporarily paused. The president announced his decision on Truth Social, citing significant progress made toward a potential agreement with Iran.
“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.
Meanwhile, one of the world’s largest shipping groups said Tuesday that the temporary pause is a “surprise” and “challenge.”
The Baltic and International Maritime Council (BIMCO), which describes itself as the “world’s largest international shipping association, with over 2,000 members in 130 countries,” noted in a statement obtained by Fox News that “Our members report that crews are coping mentally and practically with the situation.”
“The suspension of ‘Project Freedom’ shortly after its launch is a surprise,” BIMCO said. “While a few ships made it out safely while ‘Project Freedom’ was in place, it was clear that transits without coordination with Iran entailed significant risk.
“Changes announced at short notice or changes that are surprising, such as the sudden suspension of ‘Project Freedom,’ are a challenge for shipowners attempting to assess the risks and planning for leaving the Persian Gulf,” the organization added.
BIMCO noted that “Shipowners are still able to buy provisions and fuel locally, although at elevated prices.”
Early Wednesday, Trump added: “Assuming Iran agrees to give what has been agreed to, which is, perhaps, a big assumption, the already legendary Epic Fury will be at an end, and the highly effective Blockade will allow the Hormuz Strait to be OPEN TO ALL, including Iran.”
“If they don’t agree, the bombing starts, and it will be, sadly, at a much higher level and intensity than it was before,” he added in a Truth Social post.
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced on Wednesday that he is “grateful to President Donald Trump for his courageous leadership and timely announcement regarding the pause in Project Freedom in the Strait of Hormuz.”
“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 towards advancing regional peace, stability and reconciliation during this sensitive period,” Sharif, who has been a principal mediator in discussions between the U.S. and Iran, wrote on X.
“Pakistan remains firmly committed to supporting all efforts that promote restraint and a peaceful resolution of conflicts through dialogue and diplomacy. 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.
Trump told Congress on Friday that hostilities between the United States and Iran have “terminated,” stating that a ceasefire implemented last month effectively ended the conflict as a key legal deadline arrived.
The claim came as Trump reached the 60-day mark under the War Powers Resolution of 1973, which requires presidents to withdraw U.S. forces from unauthorized military engagements unless Congress approves continued action.
Despite the declaration, U.S. forces remain active in the region, and the administration has not ruled out additional strikes, Conservative Brief reported.
SHOWDOWN ON THE FIVE: Jessica Tarlov Drops Truth Bomb on GOP’s Controversial Voter Legislation
SHOWDOWN ON THE FIVE: Jessica Tarlov Drops Truth Bomb on GOP’s Controversial Voter Legislation
WASHINGTON — A ferocious battle over the soul of American democracy erupted on cable news this week, proving once again that the clash over election integrity is reaching a boiling point.
During a high-stakes segment on Fox News' top-rated program The Five, liberal co-host Jessica Tarlov ignited an intense firestorm by sounding the alarm on the Republican-backed SAVE Act (Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act).
Her warning was sharp, direct, and unapologetic: This isn't just a simple Voter ID bill—it’s a bureaucratic roadblock designed to keep millions of legal Americans away from the ballot box.
"Far Beyond Voter ID": Tarlov Sounds the Alarm
While GOP proponents frame the SAVE Act as a common-sense measure to restore trust in elections, Tarlov shredded that narrative live on air, dissecting the fine print of the proposed federal mandate.
Under the bill, anyone registering to vote in federal elections would be legally required to provide documentary proof of U.S. citizenship—such as a physical U.S. passport, a certified birth certificate, or naturalization papers.
"People hear 'Voter ID' and think it’s just showing a driver's license at the counter," Tarlov argued. "It’s not. This bill demands physical proof of citizenship upfront. Millions of everyday, hard-working American citizens do not have a valid passport sitting in a drawer or immediate access to an official birth certificate. This creates an artificial barrier to a fundamental constitutional right." without instant paperwork access.
Integrity Guardrail or Voter Suppression? The Great Debate
The fiery television debate reflects a massive political rift tearing through Capitol Hill and statehouses across the country.
The Conservative Defense: Republican sponsors and conservative commentators insist the measure is vital to national security and sovereign elections. They argue that verifying citizenship at registration is a necessary safeguard to prevent non-citizens from ever slipping onto federal voter rolls.
The Progressive Pushback: Critics like Tarlov argue that non-citizen voting in federal elections is already illegal, strictly policed, and exceptionally rare. Opponents caution that adding heavy administrative hurdles will unintentionally disenfranchise lawful voters—particularly students, low-income citizens, rural voters, and women whose names have changed due to marriage.
The Stakes Couldn't Be Higher
As the debate over voter access versus election security intensifies, the SAVE Act has turned into a major political litmus test.
Is requiring physical proof of citizenship a mandatory protection to guarantee that every vote is lawful? Or is it an unnecessary, red-tape nightmare that punishes legal citizens for not having their paperwork in order?
One thing is certain: as long as voices like Jessica Tarlov continue to push back on prime-time television, the fight over who gets to vote—and how hard it is to do so—is far from over.
Jessica Tarlov Says Trump Has 35% Approval Rating in Most Polls
Supporters of the bill strongly disagree, saying it is designed to protect election integrity by preventing non-citizens from registering to vote. Opponents argue the existing safeguards are already sufficient and fear the measure could unintentionally disenfranchise lawful voters. Is the SAVE Act a necessary election safeguard, or does it create unnecessary barriers to voting?
Jessica Tarlov Suspended Indefinitely After Allegedly Assaulting Fox News Crew Member
Jessica Tarlov Suspended Indefinitely After Allegedly Assaulting Fox News Crew Member
NEW YORK — The set of Fox News’ hit show The Five has seen its fair share of heated shouting matches, but what went down behind the scenes this week turned a political debate into an outright crime scene.
In a shocking move that has sent shockwaves through Manhattan media circles, network executives have suspended co-host Jessica Tarlov indefinitely following an alleged physical assault on a crew member during a commercial break.
The reason for the explosive violent outburst? A camera operator made the fatal mistake of laughing out loud at one of her political talking points.
The Laugh That Triggered a Rampage
According to multiple insider accounts and studio witnesses, the situation escalated with terrifying speed. During a taped segment discussing presidential leadership, Tarlov aggressively defended President Joe Biden, passionately declaring him to be "one of the most alert and engaged presidents in American history."
While her conservative co-hosts on The Five usually counter her hot takes with eye-rolls and sharp rebuttals, it was an off-camera crew member who couldn't hold back.
A veteran camera operator reportedly chuckled out loud at the statement—a moment of candid disbelief that pushed Tarlov entirely over the edge.
"She just flew completely off the handle," one studio staffer revealed under the condition of anonymity. "Jessica has always been hyper-sensitive to pushback, but this was different. The moment she heard that laugh, her face changed. She lost control, lunged at the crew member, and turned physically aggressive. It took two floor managers to pull her off."
Fox News Responds: A Mandatory "Cooling-Off" Period
Network executives acted swiftly to control the fallout. Within hours of the incident, Tarlov was escorted from the building and informed of her immediate, indefinite suspension.
While the network hasn't closed the door permanently—noting they will consider a formal appeal at a later date—the consensus inside the building is clear: She is out for the foreseeable future.
In a internal memo, management framed the suspension as a mandatory "cooling-off period" to review safety protocols and investigate the physical altercation. However, staff members say the atmosphere on set remains deeply rattled.
Beyond Political Delusion: When Rhetoric Turns Violent
Political commentators across social media were quick to seize on the scandal. For years, Tarlov served as the resident liberal voice on The Five, regularly taking fire from a panel of staunch conservatives. But critics argue that defending the indefensible finally broke her composure.
To many viewers, claiming Biden was "sharp and alert" in 2024 or 2025 was already seen as an exercise in extreme political bias—but resorting to physical violence when called out on it marks a dangerous new low.
"This isn't just about partisan bias anymore," noted one media analyst following the story. "When a commentator becomes so consumed by political delusion that a simple chuckle triggers a physical assault, you've crossed a line from political debate into total instability."
What’s Next for The Five?
As Fox News searches for a temporary replacement to fill the liberal chair, the network faces intense scrutiny over workplace safety and on-set decorum.
Will Jessica Tarlov ever walk back onto the set of The Five, or has the "token leftist" finally burned her last bridge in cable news?
This story is actively developing. Scroll down to view real-time updates, legal analysis of the alleged assault, and reaction clips from around the media world!
