Trump Announces Project Freedom to Guide Ships Trapped in Iran's Strait of Hormuz Blockade

President Donald Trump announced that the United States will guide ships stranded by Iran's closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

The strait has stayed largely blocked since the United States and Israel carried out air strikes on Iran. Tehran responded by shutting the key waterway, which carries 20 percent of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas.

Trump described his "Project Freedom" as a plan to free vessels locked in the strait. Countries from around the world asked the United States for help with their ships, which he called "merely neutral and innocent bystanders." The United States will "guide their Ships safely out of these restricted Waterways," he said in a post on his Truth Social platform.

"The Ship movement is merely meant to free up people, companies, and Countries that have done absolutely nothing wrong — They are victims of circumstance," Trump wrote. He called it "a Humanitarian gesture on behalf of the United States, Middle Eastern Countries but, in particular, the Country of Iran." Many vessels are running low on food and other supplies needed to keep large crews healthy and sanitary.

Iran rejected the plan. Maj Gen Ali Abdollahi, head of Iran's central command, said the country would attack "any foreign armed force" trying to approach or enter the strait, "especially, the aggressive US army." Iran has repeatedly stated that the Strait of Hormuz is under the control of its armed forces, and safe passage requires coordination with them under all circumstances.

The International Maritime Organisation estimates that 20,000 sailors on 2,000 ships have been trapped in the Gulf since the war with Iran began. Concerns have mounted over shrinking supplies and risks to sailors' physical and mental health.

Trump did not detail how the guidance would work but said the United States would use force if anyone interfered with the humanitarian process. Hours later, US Central Command said guided-missile destroyers, more than 100 land- and sea-based aircraft, multi-domain unmanned platforms and 15,000 service members would support the operation. It gave no specifics on their roles.

If the guidance means only information and advice, it may do little against Iran's threats. A military escort could lead to direct clashes.

Hours after the operation was set to start, the Iranian military said its navy issued a firm warning that prevented American and Zionist enemy destroyers from entering the Strait of Hormuz. US Central Command denied Iranian claims that one of its warships had been hit by two missiles.

The United Arab Emirates reported that two drones targeted a tanker linked to its state-owned oil company Adnoc as it passed through the strait. No one was injured, according to the UAE foreign ministry. It is unclear if US assistance enabled the tanker's passage under Project Freedom.

Iran has tightly restricted strait traffic since the war started, allowing only a few vessels, mostly from its allies.

A ceasefire aims to let the sides negotiate an end to fighting, but little progress has occurred. Iran has objected to the US naval blockade of its ports.

Oil tanker captain Ramoon Kapoor, trapped in the strait, told the BBC he had seen various attacks, missiles and explosions. The situation remains pretty tense, he said.

The UK Maritime Trade Operations Centre warned ships of critical security threats in the strait from ongoing military operations and possible mines or other dangers along routes.

Oil prices spiked briefly after Iran's warship claim and the US denial but have held well over $100 a barrel for Brent crude, more than 50 percent higher than before the war.