US Launches “Project Freedom” to Escort Stranded Vessels

United States President Donald Trump has said that the US will “help free up” ships stranded in the Strait of Hormuz starting Monday, indicating that his administration would move to break Iran’s blockade of the strategic waterway.

Trump said on Sunday that the initiative, dubbed Project Freedom, was being launched at the request of countries whose vessels are currently stuck in the strait. He referred to them as “neutral and innocent bystanders.”

“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,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social. He did not specify which countries had requested Washington’s assistance.

Trump said many of the vessels were running low on food and other essential supplies needed for large crews to remain on board in healthy and sanitary conditions. He warned that any interference with the operation would “unfortunately, have to be dealt with forcefully.”

It remains unclear how the campaign, which Trump described as a humanitarian gesture, would be carried out or whether it would involve any coordination with Tehran.

If the move meets resistance from Iran, it could undermine the fragile ceasefire that came into effect on April 7.

Responding to the announcement, Ebrahim Azizi, head of the Iranian parliament’s National Security Commission, warned that any “American interference” in the Strait of Hormuz would be viewed as a violation of the truce.

“The Strait of Hormuz and the Persian Gulf would not be managed by Trump’s delusional posts! No one would believe Blame Game scenarios!” Azizi said in a post on X.

Meanwhile, US Central Command (CENTCOM) said it would begin supporting merchant vessels seeking to freely transit the strait starting Monday.

“Our support for this defensive mission is essential to regional security and the global economy as we also maintain the naval blockade,” CENTCOM Commander Admiral Brad Cooper said in a statement.

CENTCOM did not provide specific details on how free passage would be ensured in the narrow waterway. The US military has previously stated that it was “not ready” to accompany vessels through the strait, where they could come under fire from Iranian territory.