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U.S. President Donald Trump announced Sunday that the United States would begin guiding neutral foreign vessels out of the Strait of Hormuz starting Monday morning, Middle East time.
Around 15,000 military personnel, more than 100 aircraft and guided-missile destroyers are being deployed under an operation he named "Project Freedom."
Trump described the initiative as "a humanitarian gesture" on behalf of countries he said had no part in the conflict but whose ships had become trapped in the restricted waterway and were running low on food and essential supplies.
"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 said on Truth Social.
"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 noted.
Trump warned that any interference with the humanitarian effort "would have to be dealt with forcefully."
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed Sunday it would begin supporting Project Freedom, describing the mission as restoring "freedom of navigation for commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz."
"Our support for this defensive mission is essential to regional security and the global economy as we also maintain the naval blockade," said CENTCOM Commander Adm. Brad Cooper.
CENTCOM said the operation would be supported by guided-missile destroyers, more than 100 land and sea-based aircraft, multi-domain unmanned platforms and 15,000 service members.
The State Department separately announced a parallel diplomatic initiative, the Maritime Freedom Construct, designed to enhance coordination and information-sharing among international partners to support maritime security in the strait.
Axios reported Sunday, however, citing two American officials, that Project Freedom may not involve U.S. Navy vessels directly escorting commercial ships. One official said Navy ships would be "in the vicinity" if needed to prevent Iran's military from targeting commercial vessels.
The officials added that the Navy plans to provide commercial ships with guidance on the safest maritime routes, particularly those not mined by the Iranian military.
The United States and Israel launched strikes against Iran on Feb. 28, triggering Iranian retaliation against Israel and U.S. allies in the Gulf, along with the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
Since April 13, the U.S. has enforced a naval blockade targeting Iranian maritime traffic in the strategic waterway.
A two-week ceasefire was announced on April 8 through Pakistani mediation, followed by direct talks in Islamabad on April 11, but no agreement on a lasting truce was reached.
Trump subsequently extended the ceasefire without setting a new deadline, following a request from Pakistan.
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