US President Donald Trump has launched an initiative called “Project Freedom” to assist commercial ships currently stuck in the Strait of Hormuz amid heightened tensions in the Gulf.Trump posted on “Truth Social” on Sunday (local time) that multiple countries have requested assistance from the United States to help their ships safely sail out of this strategically important waterway.“Countries around the world, almost all of them not involved in the dispute in the Middle East, are asking the United States if we can help free their ships that are stuck in the Strait of Hormuz that they have absolutely nothing to do with,” the U.S. president said.He said the United States would intervene to ensure the safe navigation of affected ships. “For the benefit of Iran, the Middle East and the United States, we have told these countries that we will guide their vessels safely out of these restricted waterways so that they can conduct their business freely and competently,” he said.Trump added that the ships involved belonged to countries not directly related to the current conflict. “Again, these vessels come from all over the world and have no connection whatsoever to what is currently happening in the Middle East. I have told my representatives to inform them and we will do our best to get their vessels and crews out of the strait safely,” he said.He further stated that once the vessel leaves, it will not return until the situation is safe. “In all cases they have said they will not return until the area becomes safe for navigation and everything else,” he added.Trump said the initiative, called “Project Freedom,” would begin on Monday morning (Middle East time). “This process, known as the Freedom Plan, will begin on Monday morning Middle East time.”He also noted that U.S. representatives were having what he called “very active discussions” with Iran, indicating potential diplomatic progress.“I am fully aware that my representatives are having very positive discussions with the country of Iran that could lead to very positive outcomes for everyone,” Trump said.He added that the movement of the ships was aimed at assisting those not affected by the conflict. “The ship movement is simply about freeing up individuals, companies and countries who have done absolutely nothing wrong – they are victims of circumstance,” he said.Trump described the initiative as humanitarian in nature, saying: “This is a humanitarian gesture on behalf of the United States, the countries of the Middle East, and especially the country of Iran.”He also highlighted concerns about supply conditions on board ships. “Many ships are running short of food and everything else needed for a large crew to stay healthy and hygienic on board,” he said.Trump warned against intervening in the operation. “If the humanitarian process is disrupted in any way, unfortunately, this disruption must be dealt with forcefully,” he said.In a separate development, Trump also rejected Iran’s latest offer to resolve the regional conflict, calling it “unacceptable.” Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghay said Tehran had received Washington’s response to its proposal and was currently reviewing it. The proposal was submitted in response to the U.S. plan and called for an end to hostilities on multiple fronts, including in Lebanon, Iran’s Tasnim news agency reported.Although the United States proposed a two-month ceasefire agreement, Iran demanded a shortened 30-day ceasefire period and emphasized that ending the war should be prioritized rather than extending the ceasefire period.Iran’s proposals also include calls for guarantees against military action, the withdrawal of U.S. troops from areas near Iran, the release of frozen Iranian assets, the lifting of sanctions and the creation of new mechanisms to manage the Strait of Hormuz.
