Trump Orders Navy to Begin Project Freedom Escort in Strait of Hormuz

President Donald Trump announced Sunday that the U.S. Navy will launch an operation called Project Freedom on Monday to escort commercial ships stranded in the Strait of Hormuz. The mission aims to move vessels that have been unable to transit the waterway since Iran imposed controls after U.S. and Israeli strikes on February 28.

Trump said the effort responds to requests from countries whose ships and crews are running low on supplies.

” He described the move as a humanitarian gesture for neutral vessels caught in the conflict. CENTCOM commander Adm. Brad Cooper said U.S. military support will include guided-missile destroyers, more than 100 aircraft, unmanned platforms, and 15,000 service members.

The command stated the mission remains defensive while the naval blockade of Iran continues.

Iran’s military warned that any foreign armed force attempting to enter the Strait of Hormuz will be attacked. ” Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei confirmed officials are reviewing a U.S. counter-proposal to end the war. He said the message arrived through Pakistan and that details remain under review.

Ministry said the United States sent 22 crew members held on an Iranian container vessel to Pakistan for handover to Iranian authorities. The ministry called the transfer a confidence-building measure. Israeli forces struck multiple towns in southern Lebanon, including Shhour, where two people were killed.

Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem said no ceasefire exists in Lebanon and armed resistance will continue.

“Any foreign armed force, especially the aggressive US Army, will be attacked if they attempt to approach and enter the Strait of Hormuz.”