|By Adejumo Adekunle
The President of the United States, Donald Trump, has announced that the United States will “guide” vessels stranded as a result of the Iran conflict out of the Gulf through the Strait of Hormuz, as diplomatic discussions with Iran continue.
In a post on his social media platform, Trump said the initiative—described as “Project Freedom”—is intended as a humanitarian operation “on behalf of the United States, Middle Eastern nations, and particularly, the nation of Iran.”
He said he had directed his representatives to inform relevant parties that the US would work to ensure the safe passage of ships and crews out of the strait.
“I have instructed my representatives to notify them that we will exert our utmost efforts to ensure the safe passage of their ships and crews out of the Strait,” he wrote.
Trump did not provide operational details on how more than 850 vessels reportedly stranded in the Gulf would be moved. According to the Wall Street Journal, citing a US official, the plan does not currently involve US Navy warships escorting vessels through the waterway. Instead, it is expected to rely on coordination among shipping stakeholders to manage traffic through the strait.
Following the announcement, a senior Iranian official warned that any US intervention in the Strait of Hormuz would be regarded by Tehran as a violation of the ceasefire.
Iran had earlier restricted foreign shipping through the strategic waterway following the escalation of hostilities with a US-Israeli strike on 28 February. The US responded with counter-restrictions on Iranian port access on 13 April.
The US Central Command said “Project Freedom” would support merchant vessels seeking passage through the corridor and would involve guided-missile destroyers, more than 100 air and sea-based aircraft, unmanned platforms, and about 15,000 personnel.
Trump’s announcement came days after Iran proposed a 14-point peace plan, which reportedly included initial steps toward reopening the Strait of Hormuz. Iran’s foreign ministry later confirmed it had received a response from Washington and was reviewing it.
It remained unclear how the Iranian proposal and the US initiative are connected. However, Trump said discussions between both sides could lead to “something very positive.”
“I am fully aware that my representatives are having very positive discussions with the country of Iran,” he wrote.
He also warned that any interference with the proposed humanitarian operation would be met with a forceful response.
“If, in any way, this humanitarian process is interfered with, that interference will have to be dealt with forcefully,” he said.
As of Sunday night, communications between Washington and Tehran were reportedly being facilitated through Pakistan, with no direct contact confirmed between both sides.
