Donald Trump paused Project Freedom 'for a short period of time' on Truth Social on Tuesday 5 May, citing Pakistan's request and 'great progress' towards a deal1. Secretary of State Marco Rubio simultaneously declared Operation EPIC FURY 'now over' with the United States in 'defensive' mode, while affirming that the blockade remains 'in full force and effect'2. The White House presidential-actions index recorded zero Iran instruments across 4-6 May; the only proclamations Trump signed were National Physical Fitness and Sports Month and Jewish American Heritage Month3.
Project Freedom was announced on Truth Social on Sunday 3 May with no signed instrument behind it. Two days later it was paused by Truth Social with no signed instrument behind that either. Rubio's declaration that EPIC FURY is over was a press-availability statement, not a Federal Register notice. The blockade, the paused convoy and the 'defensive' posture all rest on the same procedural floor: presidential speech.
Tehran has produced, since the start of May, a 12-article sovereignty law, a presidential-equivalent sovereignty claim, and a named regulatory authority. Washington has produced press releases on war.gov, an OFAC General Licence, and Truth Social posts. The War Powers Resolution clock the administration declared inoperative on 1 May is now invoked by neither side as a constraint. Senator Lisa Murkowski's draft Iran AUMF (authorisation for use of military force), with Todd Young signed as fourth Republican co-sponsor, remains on her 11 May filing target when the Senate returns from recess; whether she files is the live test of whether any signed Iran paper reaches the floor before the operation resumes.
