Trump Launches ‘Project Freedom’ in Hormuz, Iran Warns of Ceasefire Violation
US President Donald Trump said that the US Navy will help guiding ships through the Strait of Hormuz, in what he called “Project Freedom.”
Iran, on the other hand, warned that any US interference in the Strait will be considered a ceasefire violation, as both sides exchange peace proposals to end the ongoing conflict.
Project Freedom
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said that the US Navy would start an effort on Monday, May 4, to guide ships from foreign countries out of Hormuz, although he did not elaborate which countries would this mission involve.
“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, so that they can freely and ably get on with their business,” he wrote.
“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. In all cases, they said they will not be returning until the area becomes safe for navigation, and everything else. This process, Project Freedom, will begin Monday morning, Middle East time,” he added.
Trump called the effort a “humanitarian gesture” from the US, Middle Eastern countries and Iran, as ships are running low on food and other supplies. “I think it would go a long way in showing Goodwill on behalf of all of those who have been fighting so strenuously over the last number of months,” he noted.
The US President also threatened that any attempt to disrupt the mission would be faced with force. “If, in any way, this Humanitarian process is interfered with, that interference will, unfortunately, have to be dealt with forcefully,” he warned.
Mission’s Details
Trump did not provide many details about the nature of “Project Freedom” and whether it involves coordination with Iran. Currently, there are around 20,000 seafarers stranded in the Strait of Hormuz, according to the International Maritime Organization.
A US official told CNN that the initiative “is not an escort mission.” Similarly, Axios reported, citing two US officials, that the initiative “will not necessarily include US Navy ships escorting commercial ships.”
One of the officials said that Navy ships would be “in the vicinity” to prevent Iranian attacks on commercial ships transiting the Strait.
The officials also noted that the US Navy would assist commercial shipping by identifying safe passage routes through the waterway, ensuring vessels avoid areas where the Iranian military has laid mines.
Military Support
US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced it would support the initiative to “restore freedom of navigation for commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.”
In a statement, CENTCOM Commander Brad Cooper said: “Our support for this defensive mission is essential to regional security and the global economy as we also maintain the naval blockade.”
The statement added that military support for the mission would include guided-missile destroyers, over 100 land and sea-based aircraft, multi-domain unmanned platforms, and 15,000 service members.
Iranian Warning
Iran condemned Trump’s announcement as a violation of the ceasefire. The state-run IRNA news agency called Trump’s effort part of his “delirium.”
Meanwhile, the head of the national security commission of Iran’s parliament, Ebrahim Azizi, warned that any interference in the Strait of Hormuz would be viewed as a ceasefire violation.
“The Strait of Hormuz and the (Arabian) Gulf would not be managed by Trump’s delusional posts! No one would believe Blame Game scenarios!” he posted on X.
Iran has blocked transit through the critical shipping route without its permission, sending global oil prices soaring. In response, the US has enforced a naval blockade on Iranian ports.
Shortly after Trump’s remarks, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported that two tankers were attacked in the Strait. According to the agency, the first was struck by multiple small craft while the other was hit by “unknown projectiles,” with no injuries reported.
US-Iran Peace Proposals
Trump’s announcement came as Washington and Tehran exchange proposals through Pakistani mediators to reach a deal that ends the war.
In his social media post, Trump acknowledged that talks are still underway. “I am fully aware that my Representatives are having very positive discussions with the Country of Iran, and that these discussions could lead to something very positive for all,” he said.
Iran is currently reviewing the US response to its 14-point proposal, according to Iranian media. “At this stage, we do not have nuclear negotiations,” Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said, as quoted by Iranian media.
The Iranian proposal postpones nuclear negotiations to a later stage but calls for resolving other issues and ending the war within 30 days.
It demands guarantees against future military aggression, the withdrawal of all US troops from areas surrounding Iran, an end to the naval blockade, and an end to fighting on all fronts, including Lebanon.
It also calls for the release of Iran’s frozen assets, the payment of reparations, the lifting of sanctions, and the establishment of a new governing mechanism for the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump said on Saturday that he was studying the Iranian proposal, suggesting he was not satisfied with it.
“I will soon be reviewing the plan that Iran has just sent to us, but can’t imagine that it would be acceptable in that they have not yet paid a big enough price for what they have done to Humanity, and the World, over the last 47 years,” he wrote on Truth Social.
