Trump Launches “Project Freedom” to Clear Strait of Hormuz
The BBC reported Monday that US President Donald Trump has announced a large-scale military operation to escort stranded merchant vessels through the Strait of Hormuz. He branded the effort “Project Freedom” and framed it as a humanitarian gesture on behalf of nations worldwide.
A Massive Force Enters the Strait
US Central Command confirmed the operation involves around 15,000 service personnel, guided-missile destroyers and more than 100 aircraft. Trump warned that any interference with the mission would be “dealt with forcefully.” The US naval blockade of Iranian ports, meanwhile, remains in effect.
Roughly 2,000 ships carrying an estimated 20,000 sailors have been trapped in the Gulf since the conflict began. Authorities have raised mounting concerns over deteriorating physical and mental conditions among crews facing dwindling supplies.
Also Read: Iran Says US Responded to Peace Proposal as Ceasefire Holds
How the Region Reached This Point
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most critical energy arteries. Roughly a fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas supplies normally transits the channel. Iran’s closure of the waterway since the conflict began has driven fuel prices sharply higher across global markets.
A temporary ceasefire between the US and Iran took effect on 8 April. Both sides are now engaged in discussions toward a permanent settlement, though significant gaps remain. On Sunday, the UK Maritime Trade Operations agency reported that an unidentified projectile struck a tanker in the strait, though crew members were unharmed.
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Peace Talks Advance but Obstacles Remain
Iranian state-linked media said Tehran has submitted a 14-point peace proposal to Washington via Pakistan. The plan reportedly calls for a US military withdrawal from areas near Iran’s borders, an end to the naval blockade and a full halt to hostilities including those in Lebanon. It also requests that a final agreement be reached within 30 days.
Trump publicly said Sunday that the proposal was unlikely to be acceptable, suggesting Iran had not yet paid a sufficient price. A senior Iranian official cautioned that the “Project Freedom” operation could itself be viewed as a ceasefire violation, adding fresh tension to already fragile diplomacy.
Iran continues to deny pursuing nuclear weapons. Washington has insisted any lasting deal must address the nuclear question. Tehran’s foreign ministry said nuclear negotiations are “not on the table at this stage.”
Trump told reporters that a full US withdrawal from the conflict is not under consideration, adding that he intends to resolve the situation so that no return engagement is necessary years down the line.
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