A top Iranian lawmaker has issued a stern warning that any United States intervention in the Strait of Hormuz would constitute a violation of the fragile ceasefire agreement currently in place. This comes after former President Donald Trump offered what he described as a 'humanitarian gesture' to escort foreign ships out of the strategic waterway.
Iranian Lawmaker's Response
Ebrahim Azizi, the head of the national security commission of the Iranian parliament, took to social media platform X to voice his objections. He posted that the Persian Gulf would not 'be managed by Trump's delusional posts' following the former president's declaration that he would shepherd innocent bystanders caught up in the blockage on the Iranian waterway.
Azizi wrote: 'Any American interference in the new maritime regime of the Strait of Hormuz will be considered a violation of the ceasefire. The Strait of Hormuz and the Persian Gulf would not be managed by Trump's delusional posts! No one would believe Blame Game scenarios!'
Trump's 'Project Freedom' Announcement
Trump declared that the initiative, set to begin on Monday morning, is called 'Project Freedom' and aims to help 'neutral and innocent bystanders'. He elaborated: 'For the good of Iran, the Middle East, and the United States, we have told these Countries that we will guide their Ships safely out of these restricted Waterways, so that they can freely and ably get on with their business.'
He added: 'Again, these are Ships from areas of the World that are not in any way involved with that which is currently taking place in the Middle East. I have told my Representatives to inform them that we will use best efforts to get their Ships and Crews safely out of the Strait. In all cases, they said they will not be returning until the area becomes safe for navigation, and everything else.'
Details of the Plan
Trump continued: 'This process, Project Freedom, will begin Monday morning, Middle East time. I am fully aware that my Representatives are having very positive discussions with the Country of Iran, and that these discussions could lead to something very positive for all. The Ship movement is merely meant to free up people, companies, and Countries that have done absolutely nothing wrong — They are victims of circumstance.'
Iran's 14-Point Proposal
The announcement came after Iran sent a 14-point plan which called on the US to end the war within 30 days. The Middle Eastern nation's latest request aims for the conflict to be resolved, instead of extending the ceasefire, according to Iran's state-linked media.
Trump added on Saturday that he was reviewing a new Iranian proposal to end the war, but also expressed doubt that it would lead to a deal. The proposal, a rebuttal to the US nine-point plan, also calls for the US to lift sanctions on Iran, ending the naval blockade, withdrawing forces from the region, and ceasing all hostilities, including Israel's operations in Lebanon, according to the semi-official Nour News agency, which has close ties to the country's security organizations.
This is a developing story.
