US launches Project Freedom, begins escorting ships through Hormuz
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President Donald Trumps Project Freedom initiative is now underway, with U.S. forces beginning operations to help ships move through the Strait of Hormuz amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East.
Two U.S.-flagged merchant vessels successfully transited the strait on Monday, according to U.S. Central Command.
When announcing the initiative, Trump said the U.S. would help ships from nations not involved in the U.S.-Iran conflict move freely through the Strait of Hormuz.
"We will guide their Ships safely out of these restricted Waterways, so that they can freely and ably get on with their business," Trump said on his Truth Social platform. "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."
Trump described the effort as a "humanitarian gesture," suggesting some crews may be running low on food.
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U.S. Central Command said military support for the initiative includes guided-missile destroyers, more than 100 land- and sea-based aircraft, multi-domain unmanned platforms and about 15,000 service members.
It remains unclear how the initiative may impact energy markets, which are already facing challenges ranging from a jet fuel shortage in Europe to high gas prices in the U.S. The developments also raise questions about ongoing negotiations between the U.S. and Iran.
Over the weekend, Trump said he is reviewing a new Iranian proposal to end the war, though the White House has not yet issued an official response.
"I will soon be reviewing the plan that Iran has just sent to us, but 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," Trump said in a statement.
