Trump Announces Project Freedom to Free Ships from Strait of Hormuz

President Donald Trump announced in a Sunday Truth Social post that the United States will launch Project Freedom on Monday morning Middle East time to assist ships from other nations trapped in the Strait of Hormuz.

"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 wrote.

The announcement comes amid ongoing tensions between the United States and Iran, including a U.S. blockade against the Islamic Republic.

Iran has threatened to attack any foreign forces entering the strait. "We have repeatedly said the security of the Strait of Hormuz is in our hands and that the safe passage of vessels needs to be coordinated with the armed forces," Ali Abdollahi of Iran said in a statement reported by Reuters. "We warn that any foreign armed forces, especially the aggressive U.S. Army, will be attacked if they intend to approach and enter the Strait of Hormuz."

U.S. Central Command said 15,000 service members will take part in Project Freedom. "U.S. military support to Project Freedom will include guided-missile destroyers, over 100 land and sea-based aircraft, multi-domain unmanned platforms, and 15,000 service members," CENTCOM stated in a Sunday press release.

Separately, Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Monday that the United States will return an Iranian-flagged ship seized last month along with its 22 crew members as a confidence-building measure. The crew members of the MV Touska were flown to Pakistan overnight and will be handed over to Iranian authorities today. The ship will be returned to its owners in Pakistani waters after repairs.

"These returns are being coordinated in tandem with the support of both the Iranian and U.S. sides. Pakistan welcomes such confidence-building measures and will continue to facilitate dialogue and diplomacy while pursuing ongoing mediation efforts for regional peace and security," the ministry said.