President Donald Trump has announced that the United States will begin guiding ships through the blocked Strait of Hormuz from Monday as part of a humanitarian initiative called 'Project Freedom.' In a post on Truth Social, Trump stated that vessels from neutral countries not involved in the ongoing conflict with Iran are running low on essential supplies. He described these nations as 'innocent bystanders' and emphasized that the U.S. would help them navigate safely out of the restricted waterways.
Massive Military Deployment
U.S. Central Command (Centcom) has revealed that the operation will involve 15,000 troops, over 100 aircraft, and several guided-missile destroyers. Centcom Commander Admiral Brad Cooper stated, 'Our support for this defensive mission is essential to regional security and the global economy as we also maintain the naval blockade.' The Joint Maritime Information Center has established an 'enhanced security area' south of typical shipping routes, advising vessels to coordinate with Omani authorities due to anticipated high traffic.
Iranian Threats and Stalled Peace Talks
Iran has responded with strong warnings. Major General Ali Abdollahi of the Iranian military's central command declared, 'We warn that any foreign armed force — especially the aggressive US military — if they intend to approach or enter the Strait of Hormuz, will be targeted and attacked.' Senior Iranian lawmaker Ibrahim Azizi added that the Strait and the Persian Gulf 'would not be managed by Trump's delusional posts,' asserting that U.S. involvement would violate the ceasefire. The move comes as tentative peace talks between the U.S. and Iran have stalled, and the economic impact of the conflict continues to escalate. Mariners have been stranded in the Gulf since late February, when the U.S. and Israel began a bombing campaign against Iran, prompting Tehran to close the Strait to free navigation and implement a toll system.
