US will ‘help free up’ ships stuck in Strait of Hormuz, says Trump
The US President warned Iran not to interfere with Project Freedom, which begins on Monday.
Donald Trump has said that the United States will “free up” ships stuck in the Strait of Hormuz, a move that would disrupt the Iranian blockade of the strategic waterway.
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President Trump has said the United States will start trying to free ships which have become stranded in the Strait of Hormuz from Monday, as part of Project Freedom.
He dubbed the operation a "humanitarian gesture" and has warned Iran against interfering with US forces.
US Central Command also said on Sunday that Project Freedom will include: "guided-missile destroyers, over 100 land and sea-based aircraft, multi-domain unmanned platforms, and 15,000 service members."
This comes as Iran said it was studying Washington's response to its latest proposals for peace talks between the two nations. President Trump dismissed Tehran's most recent 14-point peace plan on Truth Social on Saturday.
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Vessels which are stuck in the Strait of Hormuz will be 'guided' out on Monday morning, Trump said.
He added that Project Freedom would "free up people, companies and countries that have done absolutely nothing wrong" - referencing cargo ships that are currently trapped in the Strait.
Marine traffic in the waterway has come to a standstill as US warships blockade Iranian ports whilst Iranian warships barricade shipping lines and lay mines along the seabed.
President Trump said: "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.
"Again, these are Ships from areas of the World that are not in any way involved with that which is currently taking place in the Middle East. I have told my Representatives to inform them that we will use best efforts to get their Ships and Crews safely out of the Strait.
"In all cases, they said they will not be returning until the area becomes safe for navigation, and everything else," he added.
Admiral Brad Cooper, commander of US Central Command, said: "Our support for this defensive mission is essential to regional security and the global economy as we also maintain the naval blockade."