President Donald Trump announced that the U.S. will begin escorting cargo ships through the Strait of Hormuz starting Monday.
He described the operation as a “humanitarian gesture” under a plan codenamed “Project Freedom.”
Trump said several countries asked the U.S. for help after their ships became stuck in the Strait of Hormuz. He claimed Iran has effectively closed shipping traffic by threatening attacks, leaving vessels trapped. The affected ships, he said, belong to countries “not involved in the Middle Eastern dispute” and are “neutral and innocent bystanders.”
In a Truth Social post, Trump wrote: “Countries from all over the world have asked the United States if we could help free up their ships, which are locked up in the Strait of Hormuz… 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… This process, Project Freedom, will begin Monday morning, Middle East time.” Trump added: “Many of these ships are running low on food and everything else necessary for large crews to stay on board in a healthy and sanitary manner.” He said the mission is meant to free “people, companies, and countries that have done absolutely nothing wrong.”
Trump also said his representatives are having “very positive discussions” with Iran that could lead to “something very positive for all.” He warned that any interference with the escort process “will, unfortunately, have to be dealt with forcefully.”
According to the announcement, the U.S. military will escort commercial ships out of the Strait of Hormuz beginning Monday, Middle East time. The operation, named Project Freedom, is being framed by the administration as a humanitarian effort to free neutral vessels stranded due to rising tensions. President Trump said the U.S. is responding to requests from other nations and aims to ensure safe passage for innocent crews and cargo.
He also indicated the U.S. is engaged in talks with Iran and hopes the mission shows goodwill. As of May 3, 2026, there are no official reports confirming Iran has fully closed the Strait of Hormuz or trapped multiple ships.
The name “Project Freedom” has not appeared in Department of Defense releases. The U.S. conducted escort missions before, like Operation Earnest Will in 1987-88 during the Iran-Iraq War. The Strait of Hormuz handles ∼20% of global oil trade, so any closure impacts world markets. Trump is proposing a U.S.-led escort mission for neutral ships in the Strait of Hormuz, citing humanitarian reasons. The plan is not yet confirmed by the Pentagon, and claims of an Iranian blockade remain unverified.
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