Iran's Tasnim News: "U.S. 'Project Freedom' Suspension Is a Cover-Up for Failure"

by Oh Suyon

Published 06 May.2026 11:11(KST)

U.S. President Donald Trump declared the suspension of "Project Freedom," claiming significant progress in an agreement with Iran. In response, local media affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) criticized the move.

On May 5 (local time), Iran's semi-official news agency Tasnim quoted President Trump's announcement on social media regarding the suspension of Project Freedom, stating, "Trump, as usual, made baseless claims in an attempt to cover up the failure of his plan."

Ships in the Strait of Hormuz. Photo by Reuters Yonhap News Agency

Tasnim further asserted, "The plan was thwarted from its initial implementation due to warning shots fired by the Iranian military," and added, "As a result, all vessels that attempted to pass through the Strait of Hormuz in reliance on Trump's promises turned back."

The report also cited The New York Times from the previous day, which stated, "Ships are not transiting the Strait of Hormuz based solely on Trump's remarks, and companies are hesitant to send their vessels through the strait," and "Some believe the U.S. proposal lacks credibility." Additionally, it referenced the UK's Telegraph, which pointed out that "the global shipping industry does not trust Trump's plan for passage through the Strait of Hormuz."

On this day, President Trump posted on his Truth Social account, "Taking into account requests from other countries, including Pakistan, the tremendous results we have achieved in military operations against Iran, and, furthermore, the significant progress made toward a complete and final agreement with the Iranian delegation, we have mutually agreed to temporarily suspend 'Project Freedom' in order to review the possibility of finalizing and signing the agreement, while maintaining the full blockade."

This operation was intended to assist vessels trapped in the Strait of Hormuz in escaping, and President Trump had previously announced on the 3rd that Project Freedom would commence on the 4th.