Franco Ordonez

The announcement to pause what Trump calls Project Freedom came just hours after the president expressed frustration to reporters that Iranian leaders had yet to capitulate after two months of a U.S.

military and economic pressure campaign.

But by the afternoon, the president was saying they were close to a deal, and he was calling off the action at the request of the Pakistani mediators to see if an agreement can be finalized and signed.

Trump emphasized that the U.S.

blockade on Iranian ports would remain in effect.

Franco, Ordonez, and Pyrenees.

Good morning, Layla.

Yeah, I mean, we really don't know.

I mean, Rubio says the focus now is on negotiations and that the U.S.

is only going to be involved in defensive operations.

But to your point, I mean, we also heard earlier in the day Trump expressing frustration that Iran's leaders had yet to capitulate after two months of U.S.

military and economic pressure.

You know, it just shows how things just are changing all the time.

Yeah, it's interesting because Trump's words were very different than some of the messaging being delivered by Rubio, who told us yesterday that the two sides were still trying to figure out what the specific issues each side were willing to negotiate about.

I mean, Leila, that makes it sound like they're very early in the process, which, again, is very different than the great progress that Trump is portraying.

Yeah, I mean, that was Rubio's big push.

And he said, under no circumstances can the U.S.

allow Iran to normalize the idea that they can control the waterway.

But he also stopped short of saying what action would take place.

Well, I mean, the administration really came across the board yesterday with a stepped-up message about the war.