Trump Says US to ‘Guide’ Stranded Ships Through Strait of Hormuz

President Donald Trump has announced that the US will assist in guiding stranded vessels out of the Strait of Hormuz starting Monday.
“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,” he stated in a social media post, without specifying which countries.
Trump warned that any interference in this process, which he termed “Project Freedom,” would “have to be dealt with forcefully.”
Iran has significantly restricted traffic through the vital shipping waterway since the war commenced in February. The US has also imposed a naval blockade on Iranian ports.
In the same post, Trump also mentioned that US representatives were engaged in “very positive” discussions with Iran, suggesting these talks “could lead to something very positive for all.”
Trump further described the operation as a “humanitarian gesture” made on behalf of the US, Iran, and other Middle Eastern nations, again without listing specific countries. He did not elaborate on how cooperation with Tehran would be managed.
“In all cases, they said they will not be returning until the area becomes safe for navigation, and everything else… The Ship movement is merely meant to free up people, companies, and Countries that have done absolutely nothing wrong,” Trump continued.
US Central Command confirmed that 15,000 personnel, guided-missile destroyers, and over 100 aircraft would participate in “Project Freedom.”
An estimated 20,000 sailors have been trapped in the Gulf since the onset of the war with Iran. Concerns have mounted over dwindling supplies and the impact on sailors’ physical and mental health.
Approximately 20% of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) typically transits through the strait, and the conflict has caused global energy prices to surge.
Late on Sunday, the United Kingdom Maritime Transportation Operation (UKMTO) reported that a tanker had been struck by an “unknown projectile” in the strait, though the crew remained safe.
According to Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency, Iran stated that its response, delivered via Pakistan, was under review.
The US has yet to formally confirm its reply to Iran. However, Trump reportedly told Israel’s Kan News on Sunday that he found the proposal unacceptable.
Iranian state media indicated that Tehran’s 14-point peace plan called for Washington to withdraw its forces from near Iran’s borders, end its naval blockade of Iranian ports, and cease all hostilities, including Israel’s offensive in Lebanon.
It also proposed reaching an agreement between the two countries within 30 days.
Iranian state media added that the proposal urged the two warring sides to concentrate on “ending the war” rather than extending a current ceasefire.
Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei was quoted by state media as saying that “at this stage, we do not have nuclear negotiations” – a key demand from Washington.
Iran has consistently denied seeking a nuclear bomb, asserting its program is for peaceful purposes, despite being the only non-nuclear-armed state to have enriched uranium to near weapons-grade levels.
On Saturday, Trump confirmed Washington had received the latest Iranian peace proposal.
In a post on Truth Social, he wrote that he would review the plan, but that he “can’t imagine that it would be acceptable in that they have not yet paid a big enough price for what they have done to Humanity, and the World, over the last 47 years.”
Speaking to reporters later on Saturday, he mentioned he had been informed “about the concept of the deal,” adding: “They’re going to give me the exact wording now.”
Asked by the BBC about the possibility of renewed military strikes against targets inside Iran, Trump responded it was “a possibility.”
“If they misbehave. If they do something bad,” he said. “But right now we’ll see.”
The US president appeared disinclined to fully withdraw from the conflict, stating “we’re not leaving” and “we’re going to do it, so nobody has to go back in two years or five years.”
Iranian state-linked agencies reported that Tehran’s latest proposal was a response to a nine-point US plan, which envisioned a two-month ceasefire.
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