President Donald Trump said the U.S. is pausing its operation to guide stranded vessels through the Strait of Hormuz. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said the pause to “Project Freedom,” which began two days ago, came because of “great progress” toward a deal with Iran.

Under “Project Freedom,” the U.S. said it would guide ships through the Strait of Hormuz and help restore the flow of oil from the region.

“Based on the request of Pakistan and other Countries, the tremendous Military Success that we have had during the Campaign against the Country of Iran and, additionally, the fact that Great Progress has been made toward a Complete and Final Agreement with Representatives of Iran, we have mutually agreed that, while the Blockade will remain in full force and effect, 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,” the U.S. President said on Truth Social.

Iranian state media claimed Trump has “retreated” after “continued failures” to reopen the vital waterway.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Beijing on Wednesday, China’s Xinhua news agency reported without providing further details.

Iranian state media had earlier reported that Araghchi would discuss bilateral relations, as well as regional and international developments, with his Chinese counterpart.

Araghchi visited Pakistan, Oman, and Russia last week.

His visit to Beijing comes one week before U.S. President Donald Trump’s planned trip to China, which was originally scheduled to take place earlier but was postponed due to the war with Iran.

Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan and his Serbian counterpart, Marko Đurić, held a meeting on the margins of the Yerevan Dialogue 2026 forum in Yerevan.

According to the Foreign Ministry’s readout, the parties discussed opportunities to develop bilateral cooperation in areas of mutual interest. Satisfaction was expressed with the increased diplomatic presence in the capitals of both countries, and an agreement was reached to continue promoting mutually beneficial political dialogue through future visits. The ministers also exchanged views on regional and international developments.

To mark the contributions of Armenians across various sectors in the United States and in honor of the 250th anniversary of the United States, a special reception titled “Armenians in America 250” was held at the headquarters of the Organization of American States in Washington, D.C.

The event was organized by the Embassy of Armenia in the United States in cooperation with the Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU).

The reception was attended by high-level officials from the White House, the National Security Council, and the Departments of State, Commerce, Energy, and War, as well as members of the Armenian-American community from various states, the Armenian Embassy said in a press release.

The event is part of a series of initiatives carried out by Armenia’s US representation within the framework of the USA250 celebrations, with the encouragement and support of the White House Office of Public Liaison.

Speeches were delivered by Narek Mkrtchyan, Armenia’s Ambassador to the United States; Jeffrey Kessler, Under Secretary of Commerce for Industry and Security; Keith Krach, CEO of Freedom250, the organization responsible for the official events celebrating the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence; and Sam Simonian, President of AGBU.

The event opened with the national anthems of the United States and Armenia, performed by students of the Shnorhali School of St. Mary Armenian Apostolic Church in Washington, D.C. Opening prayers were offered by Rev. Fr. Untzag Nalbandian, who then presented welcoming remarks on behalf of Abp. Hovnan Derderian and Bp. Mesrop Parsamyan, Primates of the Western and Eastern Dioceses of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America, respectively. AGBU Central Board member Haig Ariyan served as master of ceremonies.

As part of the program, a reissued edition of the commemorative book “Our Boys,” dedicated to Armenian World War II veterans, was presented by AGBU Vice President Arda Haratunian. Originally published in 1951, the book documents the service and contributions of Armenian-Americans during the war.

Copies of the reissued edition were gifted to Jaxon Croy, Deputy Director for Strategic Initiatives at the White House, and Sonata Coulter, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State overseeing Russia, the Caucasus, and European Security and Political Affairs.

Stories highlighting Armenian contributions across various sectors in the United States were also presented by Robin the Robot, an Armenian-developed robot that currently provides services in more than 40 hospitals and care facilities across the United States.

The evening concluded with performances of Armenian folk and traditional music by the “Marta and Folk Orchestra.”

A public inclusive playground titled “Armenian Inventors: Science from Inside Out” has been opened in Missak Manouchian Park in Yerevan.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, accompanied by Yerevan Mayor Tigran Avinyan and other officials, visited the park—named after French-Armenian poet, World War II hero, and National Hero of France Missak Manouchian—to inspect the new playground on Wednesday.

Another shipment of fertilizer and grain will be sent from Russia to Armenia via Azerbaijan by rail on May 6, the Azerbaijani media outlet Report said, citing the country’s railway operator.

To date, more than 25,000 tons of grain, around 2,000 tons of fertilizer, and 68 tons of buckwheat have been transported from Russia to Armenia via Azerbaijani territory.

The cargo passes through Georgian territory, as the rail connection between Armenia and Azerbaijan has not yet been restored.

The export of petroleum products from Azerbaijan to Armenia is also continuing. So far, more than 8,500 tons of diesel fuel, 979 tons of AI-92 gasoline, and 2,955 tons of AI-95 gasoline have been supplied to Armenia.

President of Latvia Edgars Rinkēvičs will arrive in Armenia on an official visit on May 7, Foreign Minister Baiba Braže has said.

“And tomorrow our president is coming on an official visit, something that we greatly celebrate and that also directly connects our leaders, politicians, people, and economies,” the Latvian Foreign Minister said at a panel discussion during the Yerevan Dialogue 2026 forum.

Braže noted that direct flights between Armenia and Latvia will be relaunched in June.

She underscored the close, respect-based relationship between the two countries.