The Strait of Hormuz has been a major point of contention since the conflict started more than two months ago and ships from countries across the world have been affected by the closure
US President Donald Trump has said that his country will start escorting ships out of the Strait of Hormuz from Monday in what he called ‘Project Freedom’.
Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social on Sunday, May 3, that countries across the world “have asked the United States if we could help free up their Ships, which are locked up in the Strait of Hormuz”.
The Strait of Hormuz has been a major point of contention since the conflict started more than two months ago when the US and Israel carried out joint strikes on several key Iranian sites. Iran retaliated by striking sikes across the middle East and closing the critical trade route.
About 20% of oil traded globally passes through the strait.
The US has enforced a blockade on Iranian ports in the strait in a bid to choke the Iranian economy, pressure negotiations and lift the closure.
Trump’s Truth Social post continued: “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. 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. In all cases, they said they will not be returning until the area becomes safe for navigation, and everything else.”
“This process, Project Freedom, will begin Monday morning, Middle East time.”
Trump said that Project Freedom is a humanitarian gesture on behalf of the US, Iran and Middle Eastern countries and that many of these ships are running low on food, and other necessities crews to stay on board in a healthy and sanitary manner.
The tension between the US and Iran remains, and with no long-term peace agreement secured it is unclear how long the stand-off could continue.
Trump said that if the process is interfered with, the interference will be “dealt with forcefully.”
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