Donald Trump has pledged to reopen the Strait of Hormuz as early as Monday morning in a "humanitarian gesture". The US president declared that "Project Freedom" was meant to "free up people, companies, and Countries that have done absolutely nothing wrong", who he called "victims of circumstance".
It comes after Trump said on Saturday that there was a "possibility" he could order renewed strikes against Iran. He said in a post on Truth Social on Sunday that the decision to reopen the waterway came as his representatives were having "very positive discussions" with Iran, who reportedly issued the US president a one-month deadline for negotiations on its proposed deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and bring an end to the war.
The deal would also see the end of the US naval blockade of Iranian ports, and the ongoing conflict in Lebanon, two sources brief on the proposal told Axios. Trump said on Saturday he was reviewing a new peace proposal from Tehran, before once again escalating his threats when he said the regime "not yet paid a big enough price".
Project Freedom to Begin Today
The US will launch an effort to "guide" stranded ships from the Iran-gripped Strait of Hormuz, president Donald Trump said, giving few details about what could be a sweeping attempt to help hundreds of vessels and some 20,000 seafarers. Iran quickly denounced it as a ceasefire violation.
Trump said in a social media post that "neutral and innocent" countries have been affected by the Iran war, and "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."
"Project Freedom" would begin on Monday morning in the Middle East, Trump said, adding that his representatives are having discussions with Iran that could lead to something "very positive for all." US Central Command said the initiative would involve guided-missile destroyers, more than 100 aircraft and 15,000 service members.
New Hormuz Strait Initiative Details
The new Hormuz Strait initiative will not necessarily include US Navy ships escorting commercial ships, Axios reported. US Navy ships will be "in the vicinity" in the event they need to prevent Iran's military from attacking commercial ships moving through the strait, according to the report.
Cargo Ship Attacked Near Strait of Hormuz
A cargo ship near the Strait of Hormuz said it was attacked by multiple small aircraft, the British military's United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center reported. It was the latest in at least two dozen attacks in and around the strait since the Iran war began, and a reminder of the risks if the new US effort goes forward.
All crew on the unidentified northbound cargo ship were safe after the attack off Sirik, Iran, east of the strait, the British monitor said. Iranian officials have asserted that they control the strait and that ships not affiliated with the US or Israel can pass if they pay a toll, challenging the freedom of navigation guaranteed by international law.
Iran denied an attack, the semiofficial Iranian outlets Fars and Tabnak reported, and said a passing ship had been stopped for a documents check as part of monitoring. It was the first reported attack in the area since 22 April.
Iran Reviews US Response to Its Latest Proposal
Iran is reviewing the US response to its latest proposal to end the war, Iran's judiciary Mizan news agency cited foreign ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei as saying. But "at this stage, we have no nuclear negotiations," Baghaei said. Iran's nuclear program and enriched uranium have long been the central issue in tensions with the US, but Tehran would rather address it later.
Iran's proposal wants other issues resolved within 30 days and aims to end the war rather than extend the ceasefire, according to Iran's state-linked media. Trump on Saturday said he was reviewing the proposal but expressed doubt it would lead to a deal.
Iran's 14-point proposal calls for the US lifting sanctions on Iran, ending the US naval blockade of Iranian ports, withdrawing forces from the region and ceasing all hostilities, including Israel's operations in Lebanon, according to reports.
Pakistan's prime minister, foreign minister and army chief continue to encourage the US and Iran to speak directly, according to two officials in Pakistan who spoke on condition of anonymity. Pakistan hosted face-to-face talks last month and has passed messages between the two sides.
Oil Prices Ease Amid Developments
Oil prices eased this morning after Trump said the US would begin an effort to free up ships stranded in the Strait of Hormuz. Brent crude futures fell 64 cents, or 0.59 per cent, to $107.53 a barrel.
