US President Donald Trump has announced a new maritime initiative, “Project Freedom,” aimed at safely escorting foreign ships stranded in the Strait of Hormuz amid escalating tensions in the Middle East.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said multiple countries, most of them not directly involved in the ongoing regional conflict, had requested US assistance to help free their vessels, which remain stuck in the critical shipping corridor. He described the ships and their crews as “neutral and innocent bystanders” caught in a volatile situation.
Trump said the United States would guide these vessels out of restricted waters to ensure they can “freely and ably get on with their business.” The operation is scheduled to begin Monday morning, Middle East time.
The US President emphasised that the move is a humanitarian effort, noting that many ships are running low on food and essential supplies needed to maintain safe living conditions for large crews onboard. He added that the initiative is intended to benefit all parties, including Iran and other countries in the region.
“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,” Trump said, while adding that many of the vessels do not plan to return until the area is safe for navigation.
Trump also indicated that US officials are engaged in “very positive discussions” with Iran, raising the possibility of broader diplomatic progress.
However, he issued a warning that any interference with the operation would be met with a forceful response, underscoring the high-stakes nature of the mission in one of the world’s most strategically important maritime routes.
The Strait of Hormuz is a key artery for global oil shipments, and disruptions in the area have significant implications for international trade and energy markets.
Earlier, amid the Middle East conundrum, US President Donald Trump has poured cold water on Iran’s latest peace proposal, dismissing it as “not acceptable”. He turned down Tehran’s 14-point framework, which aims to shift the current ceasefire into a more durable settlement.
