“The Straits of Hormuz do not belong to Iran. They don’t have a right to shut it down and blow up ships and lay mines, and that’s what they’ve done,” Rubio said. “It cannot be normalized. Under no circumstances can we live in a world where we accept, okay, this is normal, you have to coordinate with Iran, you have to pay them a toll in order to go through the Straits of Hormuz.”

CEASEFIRE IS ONGOING DESPITE IRAN’S MISSILE ATTACKS: HEGSETH

PROJECT FREEDOM PAUSED: One day after it was announced with great fanfare, “Project Freedom” was shut down after two U.S.-flagged ships were escorted out of the Gulf under what Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth called “a powerful red, white, and blue dome over the strait,” that he said was “a direct gift from the United States to the world.”

“As a result of Iran’s indiscriminate attacks across the region, there are currently 22,500 mariners embarked on more than 1,550 commercial vessels trapped in the Arabian Gulf, unable to transit,” Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine said at yesterday’s Pentagon briefing. “In addition to shipping, Iran has continued to deliberately attack its neighbors.”

Hegseth made a point of drawing a distinction between major combat operations and the smaller short-term defensive operation to help ships get by Iranian forces.

“To be clear, this operation is separate and distinct from Operation Epic Fury,” he said. “Project Freedom is defensive in nature, focused in scope and temporary in duration with one mission: protecting innocent commercial shipping from Iranian aggression.”

While the U.S. warships were targeted by drones and fast attack boats, Caine dismissed the Iranian efforts as “low harassing fire.” 

“It feels like Iran is grasping at straws,” noting that any decision to resume “major combat operations” would be up to President Donald Trump. “The threshold of restarting is a political decision above my pay grade.”

RUBIO: PROJECT FREEDOM IS A ‘DEFENSIVE OPERATION’

TRUMP: ‘GREAT PROGRESS HAS BEEN MADE’: But the end of the day, before any more ships could be rescued, Trump — as he has done many times in the past two months — suddenly declared there had been a major breakthrough in the talks with Iran, and that the escort mission would be “paused,” while he assesses where things stand.

In a Truth Social post, Trump said Pakistan and “other countries” had requested the pause, and that based on ”the tremendous success” of the U.S. military campaign, and “the fact that Great Progress has been made toward a Complete and Final Agreement with Representatives of Iran,” he was pausing Project Freedom for a short period of time to see whether or not the Agreement can be finalized and signed.”

“What the President would prefer is a deal,” Rubio said Tuesday. “He would prefer to sit down, work out a memorandum of understanding for future negotiations that touches on all the key topics that have to be addressed, a full opening of the straits so the world can get back to normal.”

“They have always said they don’t want a nuclear weapon. Let’s be clear: They have always said that; they just don’t mean it,” Rubio said. “How do you know they don’t mean it? … Because they’re doing all the things and historically have tried to do all the things that you do if you want a nuclear weapons program.”

“By the way, if what Iran wants is a civilian nuclear program for power plants and stuff like that, there are a lot of countries in the world that have that, and they don’t enrich. They import the enriched material,” Rubio said. “They could have that if that’s what they wanted, but they’re not acting like that what they wanted. They’re acting like they want a military nuclear program. That’s unacceptable.”

TRUMP PAUSES PROJECT FREEDOM FOR ‘SHORT PERIOD’ TO SEE IF IRAN DEAL CAN BE FINALIZED

AXIOS: ONE-PAGE MEMO COULD END THE WAR: Hopes are running high for a peace deal, according to well-sourced Axios reporter Barak Ravid, who reported the U.S. and Iran are closing in on a one-page memo to end the war.

The one-page memorandum of understanding would “set a framework for more detailed nuclear negotiations,” Ravid reported, citing “two U.S. officials and two other sources briefed on the issue.”

“Among other provisions, the deal would involve Iran committing to a moratorium on nuclear enrichment, the U.S. agreeing to lift its sanctions and release billions in frozen Iranian funds, and both sides lifting restrictions around transit through the Strait of Hormuz,” the Axios report said, while noting “Nothing has been agreed yet,” and that “Many of the terms laid out in the memo would be contingent on a final agreement being reached, leaving the possibility of renewed war or an extended limbo in which the hot war has stopped but nothing is truly resolved.”

CUBA, CHINA, AND THE POPE: KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM MARCO RUBIO’S RAUCOUS WHITE HOUSE PRESS CONFERENCE

Good Wednesday morning and welcome to Jamie McIntyre’s Daily on Defense, written and compiled by Washington Examiner National Security Senior Writer Jamie McIntyre (@jamiejmcintyre) and edited by Keely Bastow. Email here with tips, suggestions, calendar items, and anything else. Sign up or read current and back issues at DailyonDefense.com. 

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HAPPENING TODAY: RUSSIA IGNORES UKRAINE’S CEASEFIRE OVERTURE: When Russia asked for a two-day ceasefire for its annual celebration of Victory Day, the marking the end of World War II, Ukraine countered with an offer of an open-ended ceasefire to begin midnight last night.

Russia ignored that peace overture, according to a post on X by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky: “After yesterday’s savage strikes against our cities and communities – Dnipro, Zaporizhzhia, Kramatorsk, and others – the Russian army continued active hostilities and terrorist shelling throughout this day as well. Russia’s choice is an obvious spurning of a ceasefire and of saving lives.” 

“Throughout the night, the Russian army also launched strikes with various types of drones,” the statement continued “In particular, Ukraine’s Defense Forces neutralized nearly 90 attack drones alone. There were also missile strikes. In total, as of 10 a.m., the Russian army had committed 1,820 violations of the ceasefire regime – shelling, attempted assaults, air strikes, and the use of drones.”

The Russian Defense Ministry claimed that Ukraine violated its own ceasefire, saying that air defenses shot down 53 Ukrainian drones over Russian regions, and that five people were killed by a Ukrainian drone strike on the city of Dzhankoi in Crimea.”

DON’T RAIN ON OUR PARADE: Fearful that Ukrainian drones, which now have the range to reach Moscow, the Russian Defense Ministry issued an ominous warning in an effort to dissuade Ukraine from launching an attack during the scaled-down parade set for Red Square, Saturday, May 9.

“The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation will take all necessary measures to ensure the security of the festive events,” the ministry said in a statement. “Should the Kyiv regime attempt to carry out its criminal plans aimed at disrupting the celebration of the 81st anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War, the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation will launch a retaliatory, massive missile strike on the centre of Kyiv.”

Moscow has strung anti-drone netting over portions of Red Square for this year’s parade, which for the first time will not feature tanks or military hardware because of “operational concerns.” On Monday, a Ukrainian drone hit a luxury high-rise apartment building in Moscow, just four miles from the Kremlin.

Russian President Vladimir Putin is described in a widely circulated European intelligence report as increasingly isolated and paranoid that he could be the target of a coup attempt.

“An intelligence dossier this week claimed that the Russian president spends most of his time ensconced in bunkers and no longer trusts the people around him to have mobile phones that are connected to the internet,” the U.K. Telegraph reported.

TRUMP LOVES A WINNER: Now that Ukraine seems to be gaining the upper hand in its war with Russia, thanks largely to its ability to manufacture cheap, effective drones in the tens of thousands, Trump seems to be taking more of a shining to Volodymyr Zelensky, whom he has blamed in the past for standing in the way of a peace deal.

In an interview with Hugh Hewitt on Monday, Trump expressed grudging admiration for Zelensky, whom he called “a tricky guy.”

“I like Zelenskyy. I’ve always sort of gotten along with him, other than the one moment in the White House, which I thought was a little aggressive on his behalf,” Trump said. “I will say this. They fight, because whether the equipment is great or less than great, they are able to fight.”

“They fight against a very big monster, and they’ve held it back for a long time,” Trump said.

Yesterday, the State Department approved the sale of kits that convert Joint Direct Attack Munitions into glide bombs with an extended range. The 1,500 “tail kits” will be sold to Ukraine for $373.6 million.

UKRAINE PLAYS PUTIN ON DISINGENUOUS VICTORY DAY TRUCE

THE RUNDOWN: 

Washington Examiner: Trump pauses Project Freedom for ‘short period’ to see if Iran deal can be finalized

Washington Examiner: Rubio: Project Freedom is a ‘defensive operation’

Washington Examiner: Cuba, China, and the pope: Key takeaways from Marco Rubio’s raucous White House press conference

Washington Examiner: Ceasefire is ongoing despite Iran’s missile attacks: Hegseth

Washington Examiner: Trump suggests US will arm Iranian people: ‘I think they’re getting some guns’

Washington Examiner: Ukraine plays Putin on disingenuous Victory Day truce

Washington Examiner: ‘Mass deportations are coming’: Homan previews ICE surge to sanctuary cities

Washington Examiner: Survivors recount Islamist massacres of Congolese Christians in terrorism report

Washington Examiner: Taxpayers could foot $100 million jet fuel bill for wildfires as prices spike

Washington Examiner: One missing US soldier in Morocco dove into water trying to save comrade

Washington Examiner: Trump posts mockup of ICE rebranded to ‘NICE’ after supporter’s suggestion

Washington Examiner: First Circuit could intensify judicial divisions over Trump’s mandatory detention policy

Washington Examiner: Opinion: Marco Rubio schools misbehaving White House press corps with master class in wit

Axios: U.S. and Iran closing in on one-page memo to end war, officials say

Financial Times: Oil tumbles and stocks rally on report US and Iran close to deal

AP: China’s top envoy tells his Iranian counterpart a ‘comprehensive ceasefire’ is needed

Wall Street Journal: Gulf States Fear an Emboldened Iran Is Taking Advantage of a Hesitant U.S.

NBC News: U.S. commercial ships had military security aboard during Hormuz transit, sources say

New York Times: Trump Looks for a Silver Bullet to End the Iran War. There May Be None.

CNN: Unsettled Kremlin tightens security around Putin amid assassinations and coup fears, intel report says

Washington Post: Trump lashes out at Pope Leo again ahead of Rubio trip to Rome

Air & Space Forces Magazine: USAF Flies ‘Defensive Overwatch’ over Strait of Hormuz

The Hill: US Strikes Another Alleged Drug Boat, killing 2

Defense News: NATO Nations Size Up an Interceptor-Drone Bazaar Where Low Price Is Everything

Air & Space Forces Magazine: Air Force Wants to Nearly Double EA-37 Electronic Attack Fleet

Defense One: ‘This Is How We Prevail in the Pacific’: US, Allies Train to Repel Amphibious Assault

The War Zone: Smaller AIM-9X Sidewinder for Stealthy Weapons Bays Is in Development

Wall Street Journal: Army Asks Missile Makers to Hack Their Own Weapons

Air & Space Forces Magazine: Space Force Adds $4B to Andromeda Contract for Surveillance and Recon Satellites

Air & Space Forces Magazine: T-7 Red Hawk Moves into Production with $219M Contract to Boeing

DefenseScoop: Pentagon to Lean on AI to Achieve Audit Goals

Breaking Defense: NATO Needs Policies, Standards for Sharing AI-Enhanced Geospatial Intel: Official

THE CALENDAR: 

WEDNESDAY | MAY 6 

4 p.m. — Heritage Foundation book discussion: Trump 2.0: The Revolution That Will Permanently Transform America, with former White House press secretary Sean Spicer, author and host of “The Sean Spicer Show”; and Kevin Roberts, president of the Heritage Foundation https://www.heritage.org/conservatism/event/trumps-second-term

8 p.m. — Jews United for Democracy and Justice virtual discussion: “Democracy Stressed: Can American Institutions Still Contain Political Extremism?” with Tim Naftali, senior research scholar at Columbia University School of International and Public Affairs and presidential historian for CNN; and Madeleine Brand, host of the daily news and culture show “Press Play” https://www.jewsunitedfordemocracy.org/blog/event/may-6

THURSDAY | MAY 7 

9 a.m. — Intelligence and National Security Alliance virtual discussion: “How the U.S. and its partners must adapt to a rapidly changing domain,” with Paul Godfrey, assistant chief of space operations for future concepts and partnership at U.S. Space Force https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/5661859715216832858

9 a.m. 1779 Massachusetts Ave. NW — Carnegie Endowment for International Peace discussion: “Chernobyl’s Legacy 40 Years On,” with Ukraine Ambassador to the U.S. Olga Stefanishyna; Marina Budjeryn, senior research associate at the Harvard Kennedy School Belfer Center; Adam Higgenbotham, author and journalist; Michael Crowley, diplomatic correspondent for the New York Times
https://carnegieendowment.org/events/2026/04/chernobyls-legacy-40-years-on

10 a.m. — Center for Strategic and International Studies virtual media briefing: “Previewing the Trump-Xi Summit,” with Bonny Lin, director, CSIS China Power Project; Edgard Kagan, CSIS chair in China studies; J. Stephen Morrison, director, CSIS Global Health Policy Center; Philip Luck, director, CSIS Economics Program; and Scott Kennedy, CSIS chair in Chinese business and economics https://www.csis.org/events/press-briefing-previewing-trump-xi-summit

12:30 p.m. 801 Allen Y. Lew Pl. NW — U.S. Energy Association discussion: “AI and Energy Security in Europe,” part of the “AI+ Expo,” with Lithuania Ambassador to the U.S. Gediminas Varvuolis; Moldova Ambassador to the U.S. Vladislav Kulminski; Romania Ambassador to the U.S. Andrei Muraru; Georg Rute, CEO of Gridraven; and Mark Menezes, USEA president and CEO https://expo.scsp.ai/register/

FRIDAY | MAY 8 

8:30 a.m. 11493 Sunset Hills Road, Reston, Va. — Government Executive Media Group forum: “Guiding the Golden Dome: Architecture, Acquisition, and the Future of Integrated Missile Defense, with John Plumb, head of strategy for K2 Space, former assistant Secretary of Defense for space policy https://events.govexec.com/guiding-the-golden-dome/

10 a.m. — National Institute for Deterrence Studies virtual seminar: “Organizing for Deterrence and Urgency,” with Drew Walter, Acting principal deputy assistant secretary of defense for nuclear deterrence, chemical, and biological defense, policy and programs https://thinkdeterrence.com/events/organizing-for-deterrence-and-urgency-with-drew-walter/

QUOTE OF THE DAY: “Maybe you won’t see a white flag but, essentially, that’s already what they need. They should wave the white, the flag — the white flag of surrender. In hockey, they say ‘Uncle.’ Right? When are they going to cry ‘Uncle?’” Trump said at a Tuesday meeting with young students after signing a proclamation restoring the Presidential Fitness Test Award.