Iran war day 68: Trump talks about progress in talks; Rubio says war ‘over’

Trump pauses US ‘Project Freedom’ operation in Strait of Hormuz, citing progress towards Iran agreement.Published On 6 May 2026United States President Donald Trump has announced a temporary pause to the US military’s “Project Freedom” operation to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, saying “great progress” had been made towards a potential agreement with Iran.Trump said the operation would be suspended for “a short period” to see whether a “complete and final agreement” with Tehran could be reached, despite ongoing tensions in the Gulf.Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, meanwhile, accused Washington of pursuing a policy of “maximum pressure” and expecting Iran to submit to unilateral demands.Here is what we know:In Iran US pauses Hormuz escorts: Trump said he was halting the US military operation to escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz after just one day, in a bid to reach a deal with Iran to end the Middle East war. Trump’s so-called “Project Freedom” to help vessels leave the strait began on Monday. Shipping incident reported: A cargo vessel has been struck by an unknown projectile in the Strait of Hormuz, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations said in a statement. Fears grow for jailed Nobel laureate: Supporters of imprisoned Iranian Nobel Peace Prize winner Narges Mohammadi warned that her health is in “catastrophic” decline and appealed for urgent international intervention. Her legal team said the activist, jailed over charges linked to national security and propaganda, has suffered heart attacks and severe medical neglect while in custody. War diplomacy Iranian foreign minister in Beijing: Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met China’s top diplomat Wang Yi for talks in Beijing on Wednesday, China’s Xinhua news agency reported, without giving details on the discussion. China seen as key diplomatic channel: Analyst Jodie Wen said Araghchi’s visit comes at a sensitive moment shaped by the Gulf shipping crisis, the conflict with the US and Trump’s planned China trip. She said Beijing is likely trying to steer Tehran back towards negotiations and stabilise the Strait of Hormuz, a maritime choke point carrying a fifth of global oil exports. Rubio, Lavrov talk Iran, Ukraine: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke by telephone with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, according to the State Department, on a day of deadly Russian attacks in cities across Ukraine.