Trump pauses Project Freedom at Pakistan’s request, seeks ‘final agreement’ with Iran

This live blog follows updates for Day 68 of the US-Israel war on Iran. For a recap of Day 67, go here.

• Trump pauses Project Freedom briefly amid ongoing negotiations with Iran
• US maintains blockade while warning of strong response if attacked
• Iran denies UAE attacks but warns ships against route deviations
• Regional powers urge diplomacy and reject force in Hormuz crisis
• Tensions persist despite ceasefire, with military readiness on all sides.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Araghchi arrives in Beijing for talks with Chinese counterpart

Published: May 5, 2026 | 00:23 GMT | by Web Desk 

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has arrived in Beijing at the head of a diplomatic delegation from Tehran.

During the visit, Araghchi is scheduled to discuss and exchange views with his Chinese counterpart Foreign Minister Wang Yi on bilateral relations as well as regional and international developments.

The trip comes amid reports of progress in mediated talks between the US and Iran.

Trump pauses Project Freedom at Pakistan’s request, seeks ‘final agreement’ with Iran

Published: May 5, 2026 | 23:13 GMT | by Web Desk 

US President Donald Trump has said that, at the request of Pakistan and other countries, the US will pause Project Freedom — facilitating safe passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz — “for a short period of time to see whether or not the agreement can be finalized and signed." 

In a post on Truth Social, the American president said that “great progress” has been made toward a “complete and final agreement” with Iran, and the two countries had mutually decided to stop the project. 

However, “the blockade will remain in full force and effect,” he said.

Russian and Qatari foreign ministers agree force must be abandoned in Strait of Hormuz crisis

Published: May 5, 2026 | 21:01 GMT | by AFP

Russia and Qatar have agreed that any attempt to resolve the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz by force must be abandoned, the two countries’ foreign ministries said following a telephone conversation between their top diplomats, a statement posted by Qatar’s Foreign Ministry on X reads.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani discussed the situation in and around the strategic waterway, which has been virtually closed following the US and Israeli war on Iran.

US vows tough response in Hormuz 

Published: May 5, 2026 | 20:51 GMT | by AFP

US forces are ready to resume combat operations against Iran if ordered, Washington's top military officer said as the Pentagon threatened a "devastating" response to Iranian attacks on commercial shipping in the Hormuz Strait.

The warnings came after Iran's powerful chief negotiator said Tehran "had not even started yet", after a spate of attacks in the crucial trade route by both sides on Monday threatened to reignite the Middle East war.

Rubio says Iran operation Epic Fury over, won't shoot unless fired upon

Published: May 5, 2026 | 20:50 GMT | by AFP

The United States has completed its offensive operations against Iran, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said, echoing statements to Congress nearly a month into a fragile ceasefire.

"The operation is over — Epic Fury — as the president notified Congress. We're done with that stage of it," Rubio told reporters at the White House.

"This is not an offensive operation; this is a defensive operation," Rubio said.

"And what that means is very simple — there's no shooting unless we're shot at first."