Trump Announces US Naval Operation to Escort Ships Through Iran-Restricted Strait of Hormuz
Former US President Donald Trump has declared that the United States will commence an operation on Monday, 25 November, to escort vessels through the Strait of Hormuz. Trump, writing on social media, stated that the US would "guide their Ships safely out of these restricted Waterways" for the benefit of Iran, the Middle East, and the United States, without specifying which countries would receive assistance. He warned that any interference with this operation would be "dealt with forcefully".
Iran has significantly limited shipping traffic through the critical Strait of Hormuz since the conflict initiated by the US and Israel on 28 February, which included strikes killing Iran's Supreme Leader and hundreds of civilians, including 110 children at a primary school. The US has concurrently enforced a naval blockade on Iranian ports.
Senior Iranian lawmaker Ebrahim Azizi, a former Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps commander, cautioned that "any American interference" would be "considered a violation of the ceasefire". Despite this, Trump indicated that US representatives were engaged in "very positive" discussions with Iran, which "could lead to something very positive for all". He described "Project Freedom" as a "humanitarian gesture" intended to free up people and companies caught in the region.
US Central Command detailed that the operation would involve 15,000 personnel, guided-missile destroyers, and over 100 aircraft. An estimated 20,000 sailors have been trapped in the Gulf since the conflict began, facing dwindling supplies and significant health concerns. Approximately 20% of global oil and liquefied natural gas typically transits the Strait, and the ongoing conflict has drastically inflated energy prices.
The announcement follows reports from Iranian state-linked media that Tehran had received a US response to its latest peace proposal. Iran's 14-point plan reportedly demanded a US withdrawal from its borders, an end to the naval blockade, and a cessation of all hostilities, including Israel's offensive in Lebanon. Trump, however, reportedly told Israel's Kan News that the proposal was unacceptable, stating that Iran had "not yet paid a big enough price for what they have done to Humanity, and the World, over the last 47 years".
