Trump unveils ‘Project Freedom’ to escort stranded ships through Strait of Hormuz

US President Donald Trump has announced a new maritime operation, dubbed “Project Freedom,” to escort foreign vessels stranded in the Strait of Hormuz as tensions continue to escalate in the Middle East.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump said several countries — most of them not directly involved in the regional conflict — had requested US assistance to help move their ships out of the strategically vital waterway.

He described the vessels and their crews as “neutral and innocent bystanders” caught in an increasingly volatile situation.

According to Trump, the United States will guide the stranded ships through restricted waters to ensure they can “freely and ably get on with their business.” The operation is set to begin Monday morning, Middle East time.

Trump framed the initiative as a humanitarian mission, saying many ships have been running low on food and critical supplies needed to sustain large crews safely onboard.

“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,” he said.

He added that most of the vessels do not intend to return to the area until navigation is considered safe again.

The US president also said American officials are engaged in “very positive discussions” with Iran, suggesting there may still be room for broader diplomatic progress despite the ongoing tensions.

At the same time, Trump warned that any attempt to obstruct the operation would trigger a strong US response, underscoring the high-risk nature of the mission in one of the world’s most strategically sensitive shipping corridors.

The Strait of Hormuz is a crucial artery for global oil transport, and any disruption there can have major consequences for international trade and energy markets.

The announcement comes shortly after Trump rejected Iran’s latest 14-point peace proposal, calling it “not acceptable” and dismissing Tehran’s attempt to turn the current ceasefire into a longer-term settlement.