US President Donald Trump has announced that the United States will 'guide' ships trapped in the Gulf through the Strait of Hormuz under a humanitarian operation called 'Project Freedom'. In a post on his social media site, Trump claimed his representatives were having 'very positive' discussions with Iran, though he warned that any interference with the operation would be 'dealt with forcefully'.
The announcement comes amid mixed signals from the White House. Just a day earlier, Trump had expressed scepticism about a diplomatic breakthrough, questioning whether Iran had 'paid a big enough price' for past actions. The Wall Street Journal reported that the plan does not currently involve US Navy warships escorting vessels, but rather a coordination process for shipping stakeholders.
A statement from US Central Command said the military support for Project Freedom would include guided-missile destroyers, over 100 aircraft, unmanned platforms, and 15,000 service members. The statement did not specify how these assets would be used but emphasised 'enhanced coordination and information sharing' with international partners.
Iran imposed a blockade on foreign shipping through the Strait of Hormuz shortly after the war began on 28 February, following a US-Israeli attack. Trump countered with a blockade of Iranian ports on 13 April. A Pakistani-brokered ceasefire more than three weeks ago halted hostilities but failed to reopen the strait, a critical route for global oil supplies.
Iran's foreign ministry announced on Sunday it had received a response from Washington to its 14-point peace plan, which reportedly focused on reopening the strait. However, Israeli state broadcaster Kan News quoted Trump as saying the Iranian proposal was 'unacceptable' to him. French President Emmanuel Macron stated that only a coordinated reopening by both the US and Iran could resolve the situation, adding that France would not participate in any unclear military operation.
