🇺🇸 NCN NATIONAL REPORT
Follow-up to NCN's May 5 report on Secretary Rubio's White House briefing
WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Donald Trump announced Wednesday that the United States is pausing Operation Project Freedom in the Strait of Hormuz, citing what he described as "great progress" toward a complete and final agreement with Iran.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who briefed reporters from the White House podium Tuesday, confirmed Wednesday that the offensive stage of the US-Israeli war on Iran is now over.
The announcement came amid intense diplomatic activity. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi traveled to Beijing Wednesday to meet with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who called on both sides to reopen the Strait of Hormuz "as soon as possible." China signaled it is ready to play a greater role in brokering peace in the region.
Despite the optimism from Washington, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian pushed back, calling US demands "impossible" and saying Tehran would not submit to unilateral conditions.
The Strait of Hormuz — through which roughly one-fifth of the world's oil and gas supplies pass — has been effectively closed since Iran shut it down following the start of the war, driving up global fuel prices and raising fears of a worldwide recession.
Oil prices dropped sharply Wednesday on hopes of an imminent deal. US stock markets rose across the board with the Dow, Nasdaq, and S&P 500 all advancing.
President Trump is scheduled to travel to Beijing on May 14–15 for a summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping, where the Iran situation is expected to be a major agenda item.
NCN will continue to monitor developments.
📍 Washington, D.C. 🗓️ May 6, 2026
Real Stories. Real Impact. Across America.
— National Correspondent Network
