US President Donald Trump speaks to reporters as he departs the White House in Washington, DC on May 1, 2026.
Anna Moneymaker getty images
President Donald Trump said Sunday that the United States will try to “free” cargo ships stuck in the Strait of Hormuz since the start of the war with Iran.
efforts, which Trump has a satya social post Called “Project Freedom”, it is scheduled to launch on Monday. The president said the effort is focused solely on getting civilian ships that are in countries not affiliated with the conflict out of the disputed waterway so they can “go about their business freely and efficiently.”
“I have told my representatives to inform them that we will do our best to get their ships and crews safely out of the strait,” Trump said. “In all cases, they said they would not return until the area was safe for navigation and everything else.”
Trump provided no details about how the US would attempt to conduct such an operation, nor how US military forces would be involved. It is also unclear whether Iran will allow the US to conduct operations without interference amid the ongoing conflict, and when the strait will reopen to regular transit.
The White House and Defense Department did not immediately respond to requests for more information.
The strait has been largely impassable since the war began, stranding cargo ships and cutting off a key supply chain. about 20% of the world crude oil crosses the strait, causing oil prices to rise in the US and gasoline prices to rise
The new effort to free the ships appears to be aimed not at restoring freedom of navigation in the Channel, but at allowing stranded ships to exit safely. Iran has blocked transit by firing at ships trying to pass and laying mines in the waterway.
“The purpose of the cruise movement is simply to free people, companies and countries who have done nothing wrong – they are victims of circumstance,” Trump said in the post. “This is a humanitarian gesture on behalf of the United States, the Middle Eastern countries, especially the country of Iran.”
The US and Iran have been in a fragile ceasefire for more than two weeks as the war extends into its second month. Washington and Tehran are in talks to end the war, but the talks have not yet yielded any agreement. Trump said earlier in the week that he was “not satisfied” with Iran’s latest offer.
On Friday, Trump told Congress that hostilities with Iran “are over.” Trump’s claim came as he would have had a deadline under the 1973 War Powers Resolution to ask lawmakers in Congress to officially declare war on Iran or authorize the use of military force against it.
Trump suggested in a Truth Social post announcing the rescue effort that Iran allowing the stranded ships to be freed would be helpful in peace talks. But the President warned that the interference would be responded to with force.
He said, “I am fully aware that my representatives are having very positive discussions with the country of Iran and that these discussions can lead to something very positive for everyone.” “I think it will go a long way in showing goodwill on behalf of all those who have been fighting so hard over the past several months. If, in any way, this humanitarian process is interfered with, then unfortunately, that interference will have to be dealt with forcefully.”