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US Launches Operation to Guide Ships Through Strait of Hormuz
President Trump stated the U.S. will launch Project Freedom on Monday to assist neutral ships trapped in the Strait of Hormuz, describing it as a humanitarian gesture while noting positive talks with Iran. A cargo ship reported an attack by small boats near the strait as the U.S. and Iran exchanged proposals to end the war.
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A cargo ship transiting near the Strait of Hormuz reported being attacked by multiple small boats earlier today, according to reports from Fortune and other outlets. The incident, described as the first escalation since April 22 by ZeroHedge, involved what appeared to be IRGC forces, per a post from @Osinttechnical. No casualties or damage were reported from the attack.
President Trump announced that the United States will launch "Project Freedom" to begin guiding neutral commercial ships through the Strait of Hormuz starting Monday morning Middle East time, as stated in his remarks cited by @unusual_whales, @JavierBlas, and other sources.
Trump described the talks with Iran as "very positive" and progressing toward a potential "favorable outcome," according to @financialjuice and @AFP. The U.S. military stated that "American forces will begin supporting the operation on Monday aimed at restoring freedom of navigation for vessels stranded in the Persian Gulf," per @FirstSquawk.
The operation involves coordination among nations and insurance companies rather than direct U.S. naval escorts, according to a Wall Street Journal report cited by @sentdefender, which quoted officials with knowledge of the matter. Project Freedom's operational hub will most likely be Al Dhafra Air Base in the UAE, as reported by @MarioNawfal.
An Iranian official stated that "any American intervention in the Strait of Hormuz will be considered a violation of the new maritime regime," according to @LiveSquawk and @zerohedge.
The announcement followed the U.S. sending an amended draft for a pact to end the war on Sunday, in response to Iran's latest proposal, per @Investingcom. Iranian officials clarified that these exchanges focus on concluding the conflict and are not part of nuclear negotiations.
Separately, a National Iranian Tanker Company VLCC supertanker carrying over 1.9 million barrels of crude oil evaded U.S. Navy detection and reached the Far East, according to tracking data from @TankerTrackers.
