President Trump’s recent public comments have positioned a potential restart of the U.S. military escort operation through the Strait of Hormuz as contingent on stalled Iran negotiations mediated by Pakistan, with White House statements describing an expanded “Project Freedom Plus” that would involve additional measures beyond basic ship protection. Saudi Arabia and Kuwait have quietly restored base and airspace access previously restricted during the original short-lived effort, enabling Pentagon planners to resume escorted transits on short notice. Key variables for traders include the pace of diplomatic talks, any new Iranian actions affecting commercial traffic, and scheduled bilateral discussions with Gulf partners that could either lock in regional support or introduce fresh constraints on U.S. operations.