Donald Trump has announced that the US will be escorting foreign ships out of the Strait of Hormuz in a humanitarian effort as the war with Iran continues.
The president declared that the initiative, which will begin on Monday morning, is called ‘Project Freedom’ and aims to help the ‘neutral and innocent bystanders’ that have been caught up in the suffocating blockage on the Iranian waterway.
Trump wrote on Truth Social: ‘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.
‘They are merely neutral and innocent bystanders!
‘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.
‘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. The Ship movement is merely meant to free up people, companies, and Countries that have done absolutely nothing wrong — They are victims of circumstance.
President Trump is seen here speaking with reporters as he boarded Air Force One on Saturday
Tankers are seen here anchored in the strait off the coast of Qeshm Island in Iran last month
‘This is a Humanitarian gesture on behalf of the United States, Middle Eastern Countries but, in particular, the Country of Iran. Many of these Ships are running low on food, and everything else necessary for largescale crews to stay on board in a healthy and sanitary manner.
‘I think it would go a long way in showing Goodwill on behalf of all of those who have been fighting so strenuously over the last number of months.
‘If, in any way, this Humanitarian process is interfered with, that interference will, unfortunately, have to be dealt with forcefully. Thank you for your attention to this matter!’
The announcement came after Iran sent a 14-point plan which called on the US to end the war within 30 days.
The Middle Eastern nation’s latest request aims for the conflict to be resolved, instead of extending the ceasefire, according to Iran’s state-linked media.
Trump added on Saturday that he was reviewing a new Iranian proposal to end the war, but also expressed doubt that it would lead to a deal.
The proposal, a rebuttal to the US nine-point plan, also calls for the US to lift sanctions on Iran, ending the naval blockade, withdrawing forces from the region, and ceasing all hostilities, including Israel’s operations in Lebanon, according to the semi-official Nour News agency, which has close ties to the country’s security organizations.
Iran sent its reply via a Pakistani intermediary, the news agency reported.
Pakistan has hosted negotiations between Iran and the US in the past, and Mr Trump rejected a previous Iranian proposal this week.
However, conversations have continued, and the fragile three-week ceasefire appears to be holding.
On Sunday, Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi spoke with Oman’s foreign minister Badr al Busaidi, who oversaw previous rounds of talks between the US and Iran before the latest round of fighting.
Iran effectively closed the Strait by attacking and threatening ships after the US and Israel launched a war on February 28.
Tehran later offered some ships safe passage via routes closer to its shore, charging fees at times.
The US has responded with a naval blockade of Iranian ports since April 13, depriving Tehran of the oil revenue it needs to shore up its ailing economy.
