President Donald Trump said Sunday that the United States will begin helping ships move safely through the Strait of Hormuz on Monday morning, Middle East time, under an effort he called “Project Freedom.”
In a post on social media platform Truth Social, President Trump said countries around the world had asked the United States to help move ships he described as “locked up” in the waterway. He said the ships belong to countries that are not involved in the Middle East dispute.
Trump called the ships “neutral and innocent bystanders” and said the United States would guide them safely out of what he described as restricted waterways so they could resume business.
Trump said he had directed his representatives to tell the affected countries that the United States would use “best efforts” to get the ships and crews safely out of the strait. He said the vessels would not return until the area is safe for navigation.
Trump described the planned ship movement as a humanitarian step, saying many vessels were running low on food and other supplies needed for large crews to remain on board in healthy and sanitary conditions.
Trump also said his representatives were having “very positive discussions” with Iran and said those talks “could lead to something very positive for all.” He did not provide further details about the discussions.
The president warned that any interference with the process would “have to be dealt with forcefully.”
Trump’s statement did not identify the countries that requested U.S. help, the number of ships involved, or which U.S. forces would take part in the effort.
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