US President Donald Trump unveiled an initiative called “Project Freedom”, aimed at assisting commercial vessels currently stranded in the Strait of Hormuz amid rising tensions in the Gulf region.In a post on Truth Social on Sunday (local time), Trump said that multiple countries had requested American assistance to help their ships safely exit the strategically significant waterway.“Countries from all over the World, almost all of which are not involved in the Middle Eastern dispute going on so visibly, and violently, for all to see, have asked the United States if we could help free up their Ships, which are locked up in the Strait of Hormuz, on something which they have absolutely nothing to do with,” the US President said.He said the US would intervene to ensure safe movement of the affected vessels. “For the good of Iran, the Middle East, and the United States, 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,” he said.Trump added that the ships involved belong to countries not directly connected to the ongoing conflict. “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. I have told my Representatives to inform them that we will use best efforts to get their Ships and Crews safely out of the Strait,” he said.He further stated that once ships leave, they will not return until conditions are safe. “In all cases, they said they will not be returning until the area becomes safe for navigation, and everything else,” he added.Trump said the initiative, named “Project Freedom”, will begin on Monday morning (Middle East time). “This process, Project Freedom, will begin Monday morning, Middle East time.”He also noted that US representatives are engaged in what he described as “very positive discussions” with Iran, suggesting potential diplomatic progress.“I am fully aware that my Representatives are having very positive discussions with the Country of Iran, and that these discussions could lead to something very positive for all,” Trump said.He added that the movement of ships is intended to assist those unaffected by the conflict. “The Ship movement is merely meant to free up people, companies, and Countries that have done absolutely nothing wrong — They are victims of circumstance,” he said.Describing the initiative as humanitarian in nature, Trump said, “This is a Humanitarian gesture on behalf of the United States, Middle Eastern Countries but, in particular, the Country of Iran.”He also highlighted concerns over supply conditions on board vessels. “Many of these Ships are running low on food, and everything else necessary for large-scale crews to stay on board in a healthy and sanitary manner,” he said.Trump warned against interference with the operation. “If, in any way, this Humanitarian process is interfered with, that interference will, unfortunately, have to be dealt with forcefully,” he said.In a separate development, Trump also rejected Iran’s latest proposal to address the regional conflict, calling it “not acceptable”. Meanwhile, Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said Tehran has received Washington’s response to its proposal and is currently reviewing it.According to Iran’s Tasnim news agency, the proposal was submitted as a response to a US plan and calls for an end to hostilities across multiple fronts, including Lebanon.While the US had proposed a two-month ceasefire, Iran has pushed for a shorter 30-day timeframe and has stressed that efforts should prioritise ending the war rather than extending a ceasefire period.The Iranian proposal, also includes calls for guarantees against military action, withdrawal of US forces from the region near Iran, the release of frozen Iranian assets, lifting of sanctions, and the establishment of a new mechanism for managing the Strait of Hormuz.
