By Mukesh 
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday (May 5, 2026) he was halting the US military operation to escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz after just one day, in a bid to reach a deal with Iran to end the West Asia war.
Mr. Trump’s so-called “Project Freedom” to help vessels leave the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow chokepoint to the Gulf where Iran has seized control in response to being attacked, began on Monday (May 4, 2026).