Trump begins ‘humanitarian gesture’ for victims of Iran war and those who interfere will be ‘dealt with forcefully’
Donald Trump announced that the United States will accompany foreign ships leaving the Strait of Hormuz for humanitarian aid while the war with Iran continues.
The President announced that the initiative, which will start on Monday morning, is called ‘Freedom Project’ and aims to help ‘neutral and innocent bystanders’ caught in the suffocating blockage in the Iranian waterway.
Trump wrote on Truth Social: ‘Countries around the world who are not involved in the Middle East conflict, which is visibly and violently ongoing for all to see, have asked the United States if we can help free their ships locked in the Strait of Hormuz, a matter in which they have absolutely nothing to do.
‘They are just impartial and innocent bystanders!
‘For the sake of Iran, the Middle East, and the United States, we have told these countries that we will safely remove their Ships from these restricted Waterways so they can go about their business freely and competently.
‘Again, these are ships from various parts of the world that have nothing to do with what’s going on in the Middle East at the moment. I told my representatives to inform them that we will do our best to remove their Ships and Crews safely from the Bosphorus. In any case, they said they would not return until the area was safe for navigation and everything else.
‘This process, the Freedom Project, will begin on Monday morning, Middle Eastern time.
‘I am fully aware that my representatives have had very positive discussions with the Country of Iran and that these discussions can lead to very positive results for everyone. The ship movement only aims to free people, companies and Countries that have done absolutely nothing wrong; They are victims of circumstances.
President Trump is seen talking to reporters here as he boards Air Force One on Saturday
Tankers are seen anchoring in the strait off Iran’s Qeshm Island last month
‘This is a humanitarian gesture on behalf of the United States, the Middle Eastern countries and especially Iran. Many of these Ships are running low on food and everything else needed to keep large crews healthy and hygienic on board.
‘I think this will go a long way in showing Goodwill on behalf of everyone who has been struggling so intensely over the last few months.
‘If this humanitarian process is to be interfered with in any way, it will unfortunately have to be intervened forcefully. Thank you for your interest in this matter!’
The announcement came after Iran sent a 14-point plan calling on the United States to end the war within 30 days.
According to Iran’s state-linked media, the Middle Eastern country’s latest demand is aimed at resolving the conflict rather than extending the ceasefire.
Trump said Saturday that he was reviewing Iran’s new proposal to end the war, but said he was skeptical it would lead to a deal.
The proposal, which opposes the U.S. nine-point plan, also calls for the United States to lift sanctions on Iran, end its naval blockade, withdraw its forces from the region and end all hostilities, including Israel’s operations in Lebanon, according to the semiofficial Nour News agency, which has close ties to the country’s security organizations.
Revolutionary Guard naval forces allegedly boarded a ship attempting to cross the Strait of Hormuz
Iran sent its response through a Pakistani intermediary, the news agency reported.
Pakistan has hosted talks between Iran and the United States in the past, and Trump this week rejected Iran’s previous offer.
But talks have continued and a fragile three-week ceasefire appears to hold.
Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi on Sunday met with Omani foreign minister Badr al-Busaidi, who oversaw the previous round of talks before the latest round of war between the United States and Iran.
Iran effectively closed the Bosphorus by attacking and threatening ships after the United States and Israel launched a war on February 28.
Tehran then offered some ships safe passage through routes close to its coast, occasionally charging fees.
The United States responded by imposing a naval blockade of Iranian ports since April 13, depriving Tehran of the oil revenue it needs to support its struggling economy.
