Trump’s 48 hours of chaos: Project Freedom pulled and Operation Epic Fury declared over
The Independent • • nation
Key Points:
- The Trump administration has declared the military offensive against Iran over and paused Project Freedom, a mission aimed at freeing ships trapped in the Gulf, to allow for potential diplomatic talks.
- Operation Epic Fury, the initial military phase, has ended, with the focus shifting to a defensive effort to rescue around 23,000 civilians from 87 countries stranded in the Gulf.
- Despite the pause in Project Freedom, the US blockade on Iranian ports and vessels will remain fully enforced, with no formal agreement or talks with Iran confirmed.
- Tensions escalated earlier with Iran firing warning shots at US ships and attacks on UAE oil ports, though US officials downplayed the clashes as routine "churn."
- Iranian officials insist on a "fair and comprehensive agreement" for negotiations, while Iran warns the current US strategy endangers shipping and calls the situation "intolerable" for America.
