Trump says U.S. will ‘free’ ships trapped by Strait of Hormuz closure

The United States will seek to “free” cargo ships stranded by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz since the start of the war with Iran, President Donald Trump said Sunday.

Trump’s efforts Real Social post The project, called the “Freedom Project”, will start on Monday. The president said the effort was focused on removing civilian ships flying only flags from countries unconnected to the conflict from the disputed waterway so they could “continue their work freely and competently.”

“I told my representatives to let them know that we will do our best to safely remove their ships and crews from the Bosphorus,” Trump said. “In any case, they said they wouldn’t be returning until the area was safe for navigation and everything else.”

Trump gave no details about how the United States would seek to conduct such an operation or how U.S. military forces would be involved. In the ongoing conflict, it is unclear whether Iran will allow the United States to carry out the operation without intervention and when the strait will be reopened to regular passage.

The White House and the Department of Defense did not immediately respond to requests for more information.

The strait has become largely impassable since the start of the war, with cargo ships stranded and a key supply chain blocked. About 20% of the world crude oil Passing through the Strait, it causes oil prices and gasoline prices to rise in the USA

New efforts to free ships appear aimed not at restoring freedom of navigation in the canal but at ensuring the safe exit of stranded ships. Iran blocked passage by laying mines in the waterway and opening fire on ships trying to pass.

“The ship action is only intended to free people, corporations, and Countries that have done absolutely nothing wrong; they are victims of circumstance,” Trump said in the post. “This is a Humanitarian gesture on behalf of the United States of America, Middle Eastern Countries and especially Iran.”

The United States and Iran have been in a fragile ceasefire for more than two weeks as the war enters its second month. Washington and Tehran are negotiating to end the war, but talks have yet to reach an agreement. Trump said earlier in the week that he was “not happy” with the latest offer from Iran.

On Friday, Trump told Congress that hostilities with Iran “are over.” Trump’s claim falls within the deadline under the 1973 War Powers Resolution to ask congressional lawmakers to formally declare war on Iran or authorize the use of military force against Iran.

In his post on Truth Social, Trump suggested Iran announce rescue efforts, saying allowing stranded ships to leave would be beneficial to peace talks. But the president warned that intervention would be met with force.

“I am fully aware that my representatives have had very positive discussions with the Nation of Iran and that these discussions can lead to very positive outcomes for everyone,” he said. “I think this will go a long way in demonstrating Goodwill on behalf of all those who have been struggling so intensely over the last few months. If this Humanitarian process is interfered with in any way, it will unfortunately have to be intervened forcefully.”