US President Donald Trump said on Sunday (May 3) the United States will launch a new operation called “Project Freedom” to help foreign merchant ships pass safely through the Strait of Hormuz amid continued tensions in the Middle East.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said the initiative will begin Monday morning (Middle Eastern time) and is aimed at protecting “neutral and innocent bystanders” affected by regional instability.
Trump said countries not involved in the conflict turned to Washington for help as their vessels were effectively blocked in the Strait of Hormuz.
“Countries from all over the world … have asked the United States if we could help them free their ships that are locked up in the Strait of Hormuz,” he wrote.
He added that these nations are “merely neutral and innocent bystanders” and are not part of the Middle East dispute.
The US will provide assistance for safe passage
The president said the United States would coordinate the safe passage of commercial vessels through restricted waters.
“For the good of Iran, the Middle East and the United States, we have told those countries that we will take their ships safely out of these restricted waterways,” Trump said.
He added that the aim was to allow the vessels to “continue their business freely and competently”.
Iran talks and diplomatic background
Trump also said U.S. officials are engaged in ongoing discussions with Iran that could lead to a positive outcome.
“I am fully aware that my representatives are having very positive discussions with Iran and that these discussions could lead to something very positive for all,” he wrote.
The comments come at a time of heightened regional tensions over Iran’s and the Persian Gulf’s sea lanes.
Humanitarian justification and supply concerns
Trump described the operation as a humanitarian effort and said many of the stranded ships faced logistical difficulties.
“These are ships from areas of the world that are not involved in any way in what’s going on in the Middle East right now,” he said.
“Many of these ships are running out of food and everything else needed to keep large crews on board in a healthy and hygienic way,” he added.
Warning of force in case of breach
Trump warned that any interference with the operation would be met with a strong response.
“If this humanitarian process is interfered with in any way, that interference will unfortunately have to be dealt with forcefully,” he said.
He described the initiative as a goodwill gesture involving Iran, Middle Eastern countries and the United States aimed at easing tensions and improving maritime conditions in the region.
Tensions are escalating as the Strait of Hormuz remains unstable
Regional tensions around the Strait of Hormuz intensified on Sunday, with new maritime incidents, diplomatic exchanges between Iran and the United States and renewed economic pressure on Tehran amid an ongoing blockade.
The development comes as global shipping lanes remain on edge and energy markets continue to react to instability in one of the world’s most critical oil shipping corridors.
The cargo ship attacked near the Strait of Hormuz
A cargo ship near the Strait of Hormuz reported being attacked by several small vessels, according to the United Kingdom’s military maritime merchant operation.
The incident occurred near Sirik in Iran, east of the strait. The vessel, which was said to be traveling north, confirmed that all crew members were safe.
The UKMTO said it was the first reported attack in the area since April 22 and noted that tensions in the region remained “critical”.
However, Iran has denied its involvement. Iran’s Fars and Tabnak media said the vessel was only stopped for a routine document check as part of maritime surveillance.
Iran controls the shipping corridor
Iranian officials reiterated their position that they maintain control of the strategic waterway and insisted that neutral vessels could pass through if dues were paid.
Western governments accuse Tehran of threatening freedom of navigation, a principle protected by international maritime law.
Iranian patrol boats operating in the area are described as small and highly mobile, making them difficult to track.
A diplomatic draft of war back and forth
The naval tensions coincided with renewed diplomatic activity between Tehran and Washington.
Iran said it was reviewing the latest U.S. response to its proposal to end the conflict, but stressed that no nuclear talks were currently underway.
“We have no nuclear negotiations at this stage,” Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said, according to state media.
Iran’s plan reportedly calls for an end to hostilities within 30 days, the lifting of sanctions and the withdrawal of foreign forces from the region.
American naval blockade and disruption of shipping
The United States has maintained a naval blockade of Iranian shipping since April 13, targeting oil exports and revenue streams.
US Central Command said 49 merchant vessels were diverted during the operation.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Iran’s toll revenue was “less than $1.3 million” and called it “a pittance” compared to previous oil revenues.
He also warned that Iran’s oil storage is nearing capacity, suggesting the country may be forced to shut down drilling within days.
Read also | Cargo ship attacked near Strait of Hormuz; US Assesses Iran Proposal
