Arabic version: مشروع ترامب “الحرية” يهدف إلى مساعدة السفن العالقة
President Donald Trump has announced a new initiative called “Project Freedom” to assist ships stranded in the Strait of Hormuz due to Iran’s actions. The Strait has been largely blocked since the US and Israel launched air strikes on Iran, prompting Tehran to close this vital waterway, which carries about 20% of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas.
According to BBC News, Trump stated that countries worldwide had requested US assistance to free their vessels trapped in the Strait. He emphasized that these ships are “locked up in the Strait of Hormuz” and are “merely neutral and innocent bystanders!” and described the US’s involvement as a humanitarian gesture, particularly towards Iran, as many crews are running low on essential supplies.
Iran, however, has responded defiantly to Trump’s announcement. The head of Iran’s central command warned that any foreign armed forces attempting to enter the Strait would be met with force. Maj Gen Ali Abdollahi reiterated Iran’s control over the waterway and insisted that safe passage must be coordinated with Iranian authorities.
The US Central Command (Centcom) has mobilized significant military resources to support this operation, including guided-missile destroyers, over 100 land and sea-based aircraft, and 15,000 service members. However, the specifics of how these forces will assist the trapped vessels remain unclear. Centcom confirmed that two US-flagged merchant vessels have already successfully navigated through the Strait as part of the initiative.
The situation in the Strait of Hormuz is precarious, with Iran limiting traffic since the onset of hostilities, allowing only a few vessels through, mainly those affiliated with its allies. The UK Maritime Trade Operations Centre has warned of critical security threats for ships attempting to transit the area due to ongoing military operations and potential dangers from mines. Despite Trump’s announcement, the market reaction was muted, with oil prices remaining high, indicating ongoing concerns about the conflict’s impact on global supply.
