Trump unveils 'Project Freedom,' moves to unleash ships in Strait of Hormuz
Donald Trump, President of the US (photo: Getty Images)
The US is launching a large-scale humanitarian operation called "Project Freedom" to unblock civilian ships in the Strait of Hormuz. The mission will begin as early as Monday morning local time, according to a statement by Trump on Truth Social.
In his message, the US president emphasised that dozens of neutral vessels are currently trapped due to the conflict in the region. They have nothing to do with the fighting. Trump stressed that some countries personally reached out to Washington for help.
"Countries from all over the World, almost all of which are not involved in the Middle Eastern dispute going on so visibly, and violently, for all to see, have asked the United States if we could help free up their Ships, which are locked up in the Strait of Hormuz, on something which they have absolutely nothing to do with — They are merely neutral and innocent bystanders" Trump stated.
The operation aims to move the vessels into safe waters so they can resume their work. According to Trump, US representatives are already in talks with the Iranian side.
The US president stated: "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, so that they can freely and ably get on with their business."
In his message, Trump stressed that the crews of the blocked vessels are in difficult conditions. On many ships, supplies of food and drinking water are running low. Prolonged stays in the Strait are endangering the sailors' health.
He also added that after leaving the danger zone, most companies do not plan to return to the strait until the situation in the region is fully stabilised.
Recent developments in the US-Iran standoff
According to some sources, Iran has decided to drop some of its previous conditions and has agreed to put the country's nuclear program on the negotiating table with the US. Furthermore, the revised deal also includes a proposal to gradually restore operations in the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for the lifting of the US blockade.
Germany's foreign minister spoke by phone with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. Berlin is also urging Tehran to abandon nuclear weapons and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
Despite the fact that the Strait of Hormuz remains blocked for now, oil prices will fall by the end of the year, according to US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. The reason will be the UAE's departure from OPEC, after which the UAE is likely to increase production volumes.
