U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Sunday that the United States will begin escorting stranded merchant ships through the Strait of Hormuz on Monday, launching an operation called Project Freedom to ease a maritime crisis in the Persian Gulf.
The mission will deploy 15,000 U.S. troops, guided-missile destroyers and over 100 aircraft, according to U.S. Central Command. It comes as some 20,000 sailors languish aboard vessels trapped since Iran’s war with the West erupted in February, with supplies running low and fears growing for their health.
The strait serves as a global energy artery, channeling roughly one fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas. Iran’s curbs on shipping, alongside a U.S. naval blockade of its ports, have sent Brent crude prices surging past $120 a barrel, intensifying economic pressures worldwide.
“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,” Trump posted on social media, without naming the affected nations. He called the effort a humanitarian gesture supported by the U.S., Iran and other regional states, adding that vessels would not return until waters were navigable again.
“In all cases, they said they will not be returning until the area becomes safe for navigation, and everything else. The Ship movement is merely meant to free up people, companies, and Countries that have done absolutely nothing wrong.”
Trump warned that interference would “have to be dealt with forcefully” and highlighted “very positive” U.S.-Iran talks that “could lead to something very positive for all.”
Iranian lawmaker Ebrahim Azizi, a former Revolutionary Guards commander, hit back online, saying “any American interference” violates the ceasefire.
The pledge follows Iran’s review of a U.S. response to its 14-point peace plan, relayed via Pakistan, which demands troop withdrawals, an end to the blockade and a 30-day deal to halt fighting, including in Lebanon. Foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei noted “at this stage, we do not have nuclear negotiations.”
Trump, who confirmed receipt of the proposal, doubted its viability, saying Iran had not “paid a big enough price.”