Donald Trump has announced a pause in a planned U.S. military operation aimed at escorting stranded commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, just 50 hours after unveiling the initiative.

The operation, dubbed “Project Freedom,” had been introduced on Sunday as a response to escalating tensions with Iran, which has effectively restricted access to the vital waterway amid its conflict involving Israel.

The strait is one of the world’s most critical transit routes, carrying roughly 20% of global oil and gas supplies. Iran’s threats to vessels navigating the passage have driven sharp increases in oil prices and raised concerns about broader economic disruption.

However, in a post on Truth Social, Trump said the mission would be put on hold “for a short period of time,” without providing detailed reasoning for the sudden shift.

The decision came shortly after senior administration officials, including Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, had publicly reinforced the plan, describing it as a demonstration of U.S. leadership and stability in safeguarding global commerce.

Reports from U.S. media outlets suggested that a potential diplomatic framework with Iran may be emerging, raising hopes that a negotiated solution could ease tensions and reopen the strait without military intervention.

Despite that, Trump signalled caution about the prospects of a deal, warning that any agreement remains uncertain.

In his latest comments, he said that assuming Iranian cooperation was “a big assumption,” adding that failure to reach a deal could lead to renewed military action at a level “much higher and intensity” than earlier operations, including Operation Epic Fury.

The abrupt pause has left the situation largely unchanged on the ground. More than 1,000 vessels remain stranded in the Gulf region, with crews still awaiting safe passage.

An explosion at a fireworks factory in southern China has killed 26 people and injured 61 others, according to state media, in one of the deadliest industrial accidents in the region in recent years.

The blast occurred on Monday afternoon at the Huasheng Fireworks plant in Liuyang, a major hub for China’s fireworks industry. Authorities launched a large-scale emergency response, deploying more than 1,500 rescue personnel along with dogs, drones and robotic equipment.

Rescue operations have now concluded, with seven people successfully pulled from the debris. Officials had earlier evacuated residents within a 3km (1.9 mile) radius of the site due to safety concerns.

According to state broadcaster China Central Television, two gunpowder warehouses within the factory posed a significant risk during the rescue effort, prompting additional precautions. Emergency teams reportedly humidified the area to reduce the chance of secondary explosions.

The force of the blast caused extensive damage, shattering windows in nearby residential buildings and scattering debris across the surrounding area. Injured victims, ranging in age from their 20s to 60s, suffered a variety of wounds, including fractures caused by flying debris.

Authorities have begun an investigation into the cause of the explosion. Police have taken “control measures” against individuals responsible for managing the fireworks company, though further details have not been disclosed.

Xi Jinping has called for full efforts to locate any remaining victims and treat the injured, while also ordering a thorough investigation to ensure accountability.

Local officials said environmental monitoring of air and water quality around the site is ongoing, with initial assessments indicating that conditions remain within normal safety levels.

A second confirmed case of Hantavirus has emerged following the deaths of three passengers and a serious illness onboard a cruise ship crossing the Atlantic Ocean.

The vessel, the MV Hondius operated by Oceanwide Expeditions, is currently anchored near Cape Verde after local authorities barred passengers from disembarking over safety concerns.

A Dutch husband and wife and a German passenger have died. The Dutch woman tested positive for hantavirus, while the cause of death for the other two victims remains under investigation.

The virus has also been confirmed in a 69-year-old British passenger, who was evacuated to a hospital in Johannesburg, South Africa, where they are receiving intensive care.

In addition, two crew members—one British and one Dutch—are suspected cases, along with a close contact of the German passenger. Plans are underway to evacuate them for further medical assessment.

The ship, carrying 149 passengers from 23 countries, has been placed under strict precautionary measures, including isolation protocols and enhanced hygiene controls. It has been at sea for over a month, having departed from Argentina and travelled more than 6,000 miles.

Hantavirus is typically transmitted to humans through contact with infected rodents, particularly via their urine, saliva or droppings. It can lead to severe respiratory illness, though human-to-human transmission is considered extremely rare.

The World Health Organization is now involved in coordinating the response. Dr Maria Van Kerkhove said discussions are ongoing with Spanish authorities to potentially allow the ship to continue to the Canary Islands, where a comprehensive risk assessment could be carried out.

Possible docking locations include Las Palmas or Tenerife, where passengers could undergo further medical screening before disembarkation.

Van Kerkhove said the WHO’s immediate priority is ensuring proper treatment for those currently showing symptoms, particularly the crew members still onboard.