00:00US President Donald Trump will briefly pause the operation to help escort ships through the
00:05Strait of Hormuz, citing great progress toward a comprehensive agreement with Iran. He says,
00:10We have mutually agreed that, while the blockade will remain in full force and effect,
00:14Project Freedom will be paused for a short period of time to see whether or not the agreement can
00:18be finalized and signed. There was no immediate response from Tehran. The White House did not
00:24comment on how long the pause would last. After Trump's post, US crude oil futures fell
00:29$2.30 and broke below $100 per barrel. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio earlier said Iran could not
00:36be allowed to control traffic through the Strait. Iran has effectively sealed off the Strait by
00:41threatening to deploy mines, drones, missiles, and fast-attack craft. The US is countered by
00:46blockading Iranian ports and mounting escorted transits for commercial vessels.
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