Trump says 'Project Freedom' paused

US President Trump says the US effort to escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz is on pause amid a push for an Iran deal.

The US says it will now only operate defensively to enforce a naval blockade.

DW has more.

Welcome to DW's coverage of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East on Wednesday, 6 May, 2026.

You can catch up on Tuesday's developments here .

Iran and US discussing 14-point peace deal — report
The White House appears to be hopeful that it is close to sealing some form of agreement with Iran to end the war soon, according to an Axios report .

Citing unnamed US officials, Axios said that a one-page memorandum of understanding (MOU) was in the works and that the US expects an Iranian response on its key points within 48 hours.

The Axios source said the current efforts were the closest the two sides had been to finding an agreement since the war began.

According to the report, the 14-point MOU would declare an official end to the war and launch a 30-day period of negotiations during which Iran would begin to open the Strait of Hormuz.

The MOU also reportedly includes a moratorium on Iran's nuclear enrichment, with sources telling Axios it would last at least 12 years, after which Iran would be able to enrich but only to a low level.

Iran would also commit to being open to UN inspections.

Axios also cited sources saying the option of Iran moving its uranium stock was also being discussed.

Iran's nuclear program has been a major sticking point for both sides.

Washington has said Iran cannot keep the stockpile and has previously threatened to put boots on the ground to retrieve it.

Tehran has maintained it is not seeking nuclear weapons while defending its right to pursue a civilian nuclear program.

DW could, of course, not independently verify the Axios reports.

What are the sticking points in US-Iran peace negotiations?

To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video
China recognizes Iran's right to 'peaceful use of nuclear energy'
In further comments from China 's foreign minister, Wang Yi called on all "parties involved" to make it possible for "normal and safe passage" to return to the Strait of Hormuz, after meeting with his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi.

"China considers that a complete cessation of fighting must be achieved without delay, that it is even more unacceptable to restart hostilities, and that continuing to negotiate remains essential," he added, according to a statement from his ministry.

Wang also touched on the question of Iran's nuclear program, a major sticking point in negotiations between the US and Iran, saying: "China appreciates Iran's commitment not to develop nuclear weapons, while also recognizing Iran's legitimate right to the peaceful use of nuclear energy."
Iran defies US pressure over nuclear, missile plans
China calls for 'comprehensive ceasefire' in talks with Iran
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi was hosting his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi on Wednesday amid the ongoing crisis in the Middle East.

Wang told Araghchi that Beijing was "deeply distressed" by the war and called for a "comprehensive ceasefire."
"We believe that a comprehensive ceasefire is urgently needed, that a resumption of hostilities is not acceptable, and that it is particularly important to remain committed to dialogue and negotiations," the Associated Press cited Wang as saying.

Iran is heavily dependent on China buying up its oil.

Beijing was responsible for 80% of the purchases of Iranian oil before the war due to other countries not wanting to contravene US sanctions.

During the meeting, Araghchi said that the two countries were close friends and that bilateral "cooperation will even become stronger under current circumstances," according to the Iranian Students' News Agency.

The Iranian foreign minister also made clear that Tehran was not willing to accept an agreement that is not on its own terms.

"We will ​do our best to protect our legitimate rights and interests in the negotiations ...

We only accept a ​fair and comprehensive agreement," ‌Araghchi said.

French container ship reportedly targeted in Hormuz
The French shipping company CMA CGM has said that one of its container ships was subject to an "attack" while passing through the Strait of Hormuz, French TV channel BFMTV, which is owned by CMA CGM, reported.

The company said that the vessel, the San Antonio, had been damaged in the attack and several crew members had been injured.

According to the BFMTV report, those crew members had been evacuated and were receiving medical treatment.

It wasn't immediately clear if the ship had been passing through the strait as part of the US-led "Project Freedom" that sought to escort ships with the US Navy.

In any case, Washington declared that mission to be suspended on Tuesday evening.

How Iran exposed the limits of the US Navy
Israel sends out evacuation warning for dozens of towns, villages in southern Lebanon
The Israeli military on Wednesday issued an urgent evacuation warning for the residents of 12 towns and villages in Lebanon’s south.

The military said that Hezbollah had violated a ⁠truce and civilians near the militant group’s fighter or facilities could be at risk.

Iran's foreign minister meets with his Chinese counterpart in Beijing
For the first time since the Iran war began, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met with his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi.

China 's state news agency, Xinhua, reported the meeting in Beijing, but did not provide details.

Iranian state media also confirmed the meeting.

The Iran war was likely a central topic of discussion.

Tehran and Beijing are close economic partners, with China being the largest buyer of Iranian oil.

Beijing has been vocal in its criticism of US actions against Iran.

The meeting between the Iranian and Chinese foreign ministers occurred about a week before US President Donald Trump 's scheduled visit to China.

Washington has announced the trip, but Beijing has yet to confirm it.

US war against Iran: Is China the hidden winner?

Rubio and Lavrov discuss Ukraine and Iran
The increasingly interlinked nature of the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East was underlined in a phone call between US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Tuesday.

According to the US State Department, the call was initiated by Lavrov and the pair discussed "relations between the United States and Russia" in the context of both conflicts.

Trump says Project Freedom 'paused' to see whether Iran deal can be reached
US President Donald Trump said "Project Freedom" will be paused while the US strives to finalize a deal with Iran .

"Project Freedom" is the US effort to escort stranded ships through the Strait of Hormuz.

"Project Freedom (The Movement of Ships through the Strait of Hormuz) will be paused for a short period of time to see whether or not the Agreement can be finalized and signed," Trump said in a post on his Truth Social platform.

At the same time, Trump said the US naval blockade on Iranian ports will remain in effect.

USA: Gasoline prices up 50% since start of Iran war
The price of gasoline in the United States has increased by 50% since the US and Israel went to war with Iran in February, according to the American Automobile Association (AAA), which said that the price of a gallon of regular gasoline hit an average of $4.48 (€3.83) on Tuesday.

The price of crude oil, which is the main ingredient in gasoline, has been climbing because the Strait of Hormuz , through which a fifth of the world’s crude oil normally passes, has effectively been shut, leaving oil tankers stranded.

US gas prices soar as Iran standoff fuels oil market fears
"After the announcement of the initial ceasefire, there was optimism that this could be the beginning of the end of the conflict," Rob Smith, director of global fuel retail at S&P Global Energy, told the Associated Press.

"But no matter what a government says or what any market person thinks, upward pressure is being exerted on prices every day the Strait of Hormuz is constrained.

And it is still severely constrained."
Iran 'categorically' denies recent attacks on UAE
The Iranian military on Tuesday "categorically denied" launching any attacks on the United Arab Emirates (UAE) this week, dismissing claims to the contrary as "completely unfounded."
The UAE said earlier on Tuesday that its air defense systems were engaging missiles and drones coming "from Iran" for the second consecutive day, weeks into a fragile ceasefire.

"The armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran did not launch any missile or drone operation against the United Arab Emirates these past days," the Iranian military's central command said in a statement.

"If such an action had been taken, we would have announced it firmly and clearly," it added, warning that any attacks launched from Emirati territory against Iran would be met with a "firm response."
Iran has targeted the UAE more than any other country during the war, hitting not only US assets in the country but also energy and civilian infrastructure.

In its statement on Tuesday, the Iranian military issued a warning to the UAE, saying in reference to the United States and Israel : "Your country, as an Islamic land, must not become a haven for the Americans and the Zionists, their forces and military equipment."
Rubio: Offensive operations against Iran 'over'
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Tuesday that offensive operations against Iran have ended.

"The operation is over – Epic Fury – as the president notified Congress, we're done with that stage of it," he told reporters at the White House, insisting that the United States was now only taking defensive action in enforcing ​its blockade of Iranian ports.

"We are only responding ​if attacked first.

This is a defensive operation," he said.

"If no shots ​are fired ‌at these ships and no shots are fired at us, we're not firing shots, but if we're fired on we will respond."
Rubio also confirmed that ten civilian sailors have died during the ongoing conflict in the Strait of Hormuz.

"They're isolated, they're starving, they're vulnerable and at least 10 sailors have died as a result, civilian sailors," he said, without providing additional details.

Hello and welcome to DW's coverage of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East on Wednesday, 6 May, 2026.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has claimed that offensive operations against are over and that US forces will be acting purely defensively to enforce a blockade of Iranian ports.

Meanwhile, the Iranian military has denied launching attacks on the United Arab Emirates this week.

And back in the United States , the American Automobile Association reports that gasoline prices are up 50% since the start of the war.

Stay tuned for more thorughout the day in our blog.