Washington, May 4, 2026
U.S. President Donald Trump has announced the launch of a special operation dubbed “Project Freedom” to assist ships stranded in the Strait of Hormuz, pledging to secure safe navigation through the critical maritime corridor.
In a post on social media platform Truth Social on Sunday, Trump said the initiative was undertaken at the request of “neutral and innocent countries” whose vessels have been caught in the ongoing standoff. He stated that the operation would begin Monday and aims to facilitate the safe exit of affected ships so they can resume normal commercial activities.
“We have informed relevant parties that we will safely escort their vessels out of this narrow waterway,” Trump said, emphasizing that the move serves the interests of the United States, the Middle East, and the global economy. However, he did not disclose which countries had sought assistance.
Trump also warned that supplies, including food, are running low aboard the stranded ships, and cautioned that any interference with the mission would be met with forceful resistance.
While describing the initiative as humanitarian, the U.S. administration has not clarified whether there will be coordination with Iran or how the operation will be executed on the ground. Analysts warn that any confrontation could jeopardize the fragile ceasefire that took effect on April 7.
Tehran reacted sharply to the announcement. Ebrahim Azizi, head of Iran’s parliamentary National Security Commission, warned that any U.S. intervention in the strait would be considered a violation of the ceasefire. In a post on X, he dismissed Trump’s statements as misleading and accused Washington of escalating tensions.
Meanwhile, United States Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed in a statement that it would begin providing security assistance to commercial vessels starting Monday. CENTCOM Commander Admiral Brad Cooper described the mission as “essential” for regional stability and the global economy, though no operational details were disclosed.
The Strait of Hormuz, a vital artery for global oil shipments, has long been a flashpoint in U.S.-Iran tensions, with any disruption carrying significant geopolitical and economic risks.
