ISLAMABAD, May 6 (Xinhua) -- Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday welcomed the United States decision to pause Project Freedom in the Strait of Hormuz, describing the move as a positive step toward easing regional tensions.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif delivers a speech on TV in Islamabad, Pakistan, April 10, 2026. (File photo: Xinhua)

In a statement on X, the prime minister said that U.S. President Donald Trump's response to the request made by Pakistan and other countries, including Saudi Arabia, will go a long way towards advancing regional peace, stability and reconciliation during this sensitive period.

He said that Pakistan remained firmly committed to promoting restraint and resolving conflicts through dialogue and diplomacy, emphasizing that peaceful engagement remains essential for long-term stability.

"We are very hopeful that the current momentum will lead to a lasting agreement that secures durable peace and stability for the region and beyond," he noted.

Earlier on Tuesday, Trump said that Project Freedom, the U.S. military operation aimed at guiding ships out of the Strait of Hormuz, will be paused to see whether a peace deal can be reached between Washington and Tehran.