US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that Project Freedom, the US operation to guide commercial ships out of the Strait of Hormuz, will be "paused for a short period of time."

In a post on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump said the decision followed requests from Pakistan and other countries, as well as "the fact that Great Progress has been made toward a Complete and Final Agreement with Representatives of Iran."

"We have mutually agreed that, while the Blockade will remain in full force and effect, Project Freedom... will be paused for a short period of time to see whether or not the Agreement can be finalized and signed," Trump said.