US-Iran Conflict Recap: US Announces End of "Operation Epic Fury," Strait of Hormuz "Freedom Plan" Temporarily Halted

BlockBeats News, May 6th, U.S. Secretary of State Pompeo told reporters, "The Epic Fury operation has ended, and we have achieved the objectives of that operation." At the same time, Trump tweeted that the "Freedom Plan" to facilitate the passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz will be temporarily suspended. "Based on requests from Pakistan and other countries, and considering the significant military victory we have achieved in countering Iran, as well as the substantial progress made in reaching a comprehensive final agreement with Iranian representatives, we have mutually agreed that while the blockade measures will remain in effect, the Freedom Plan (i.e., the operation of ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz) will be temporarily suspended to observe if the agreement can be finally reached and signed. The latest developments in the U.S.-Iran conflict are as follows:

Iran:

Iranian President: Rational dialogue is still possible, maximum pressure will not succeed.

Iran's Supreme Leader's Foreign Policy Advisor: Iran and the U.S. are still in a state of war.
Iranian Presidential Office officials deny rumors of the president's resignation.

Director of Iran's Presidential Office: There is no disagreement between the president and the Revolutionary Guard commander.

Iranian Revolutionary Guard Navy Commander warns ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz: Deviating from the designated route will face a "decisive response."

Iran's military denies recent attacks on the UAE and warns that if the UAE takes any action against Iranian jurisdictional islands, ports, and coastlines, Iran will respond overwhelmingly.

Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson denies the UAE's accusations of Iran launching missiles and drones at them, and issues a statement saying Iran's defensive actions are solely aimed at the U.S.

United States:

Trump: Iran still wants to reach an agreement, Iran did not attack U.S.-protected ships.
Rubio confirms the end of the U.S. "Epic Fury" military operation against Iran.
Rubio: U.S.'s new actions in the Strait of Hormuz are defensive in nature. If attacked in the Strait of Hormuz, the U.S. will respond with lethal force.
The U.S. military states that Iran's attacks have not reached the threshold for "restarting a large-scale military operation"; prepared to resume actions against Iran at any time.

Sources: U.S. and Israel are coordinating or preparing for a new round of strikes against Iran.

U.S. Defense Secretary: The U.S.-Iran ceasefire is not over; still in a strong position in negotiations.

U.S. Defense Secretary says Trump does not need congressional approval to continue military actions against Iran.

U.S. military states that the USS "Bush" aircraft carrier is crossing the Arabian Sea, carrying over 60 aircraft.

Trump says the U.S. military may need to enter Iran to access nuclear materials.

Strait of Hormuz

Iran reiterates its control over the Strait of Hormuz.

Iraq significantly reduces oil prices to attract buyers willing to transit through the Strait of Hormuz.

U.S. Defense Secretary: Two commercial ships and a U.S. destroyer have smoothly passed through the Strait of Hormuz.

Iranian Media: Iran has launched a new mechanism for managing the Strait of Hormuz passage.

US Media: American commercial ships are accompanied by US military forces onboard as "escorts" through the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump: Not a single ship has been blocked from passing through the Strait of Hormuz. Previously, a ship tracking company had reported that an Iranian oil tanker may have breached the US blockade.