Overview
- President Donald Trump, who cited a request from Pakistan on Tuesday, paused Project Freedom for a short period to pursue a possible agreement with Iran while keeping the U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports in place.
- Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Tuesday that Operation Epic Fury has concluded and that U.S. forces now operate defensively, with officials stressing they will only fire if attacked.
- U.S. Central Command said American protection enabled only two commercial ships to transit the Strait of Hormuz before exchanges of fire that the Pentagon says included downing Iranian missiles and drones and sinking several fast boats.
- Washington and Gulf partners are circulating a draft U.N. Security Council resolution that condemns Iranian threats to shipping and seeks an end to attacks and mine-laying, with U.S. officials urging China and Russia not to veto it.
- Roughly 1,550 ships carrying about 22,500 mariners remain stranded near the strait, and UK Maritime Trade Operations reported a cargo vessel hit by an unknown projectile early Wednesday local time, underscoring continued risks to crews and cargo.