NEW: Trump Lays Out Steps For Escalation If Iran Rejects Peace Talks

President Donald Trump has indicated that the United States could revive and expand its recently paused maritime operation in the Strait of Hormuz if Iran declines to accept a proposed framework agreement for broader negotiations.

“We’ll go a different route if everything doesn’t get signed up, buttoned up,” Trump told reporters outside the White House before departing for his golf club in Sterling, Virginia. “I think Project Freedom is good, but I think we have other ways of doing it also,” he added.

“We may go back to Project Freedom if things don’t happen, but it’ll be Project Freedom Plus, meaning Project Freedom plus other things.”

Project Freedom refers to a U.S. Central Command initiative launched earlier in the week to escort commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz amid Iranian attacks, threats, mining, and a de facto blockade that had stranded shipping. The operation involved guided-missile destroyers, more than 100 aircraft, unmanned systems, and approximately 15,000 service members, according to the Pentagon.

It was paused after one day of active operations at the request of Pakistan and other regional countries to allow time for negotiations, though the broader U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports remained in full effect. Trump described the pause as a mutual decision tied to military successes and progress toward an agreement.

The proposed framework under discussion is a one-page memorandum of understanding intended to serve as the basis for negotiations addressing Iran’s nuclear program, sanctions relief, and maritime security arrangements in the Strait of Hormuz. Trump has stated that any agreement must require Iran to permanently abandon nuclear weapons ambitions and transfer its highly enriched uranium stockpile to the United States.

“We’re not going to give them the right to have a nuclear weapon,” he said earlier in the week. “Zero chance, and they know that.”

Iranian officials have publicly delayed a response while criticizing the U.S. approach. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi accused the United States of undermining diplomacy through military pressure, stating on X that “Every time a diplomatic solution is on the table, the U.S. opts for a reckless military adventure” and that “Iranians never bow to pressure.”

The rising tensions come just days after Iranian forces fired missiles, drones, and deployed small boats in an attack on three U.S. Navy destroyers—USS Truxtun, USS Rafael Peralta, and USS Mason—while the vessels transited the Strait of Hormuz. U.S. Central Command described the actions as unprovoked and responded by intercepting all incoming fire and launching counterattacks.

No U.S. casualties were recorded and no ships were damaged during the exchange.

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