US President Donald Trump has suspended a military mission to escort commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, less than two days after the operation began. He said, however, that a blockade targeting Iranian ports will continue.
Trump explained that the decision came after a request from Pakistan, which has been mediating between Washington and Tehran, citing “significant progress” toward a comprehensive agreement with Iran, reports BBC.
Iranian state media portrayed the move as a “retreat,” claiming it followed repeated failures by Trump to restore normal shipping through the key maritime route.
Just before Trump’s statement, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the joint US-Israeli campaign in Iran, known as Operation Epic Fury, had concluded after meeting its objectives.
