DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — President Donald Trump said the United States will begin an effort Monday to “guide” ships stranded in the Iran-controlled Strait of Hormuz, after two vessels reported attacks around the strategic waterway.
Trump provided few operational details but said the effort, which he called “Project Freedom,” would help “neutral and innocent” countries whose ships and crews have been affected by the war with Iran. He said U.S. representatives also are in talks with Iran that “could lead to something very positive for all.” He warned that any interference with the humanitarian process “will, unfortunately, have to be dealt with forcefully.”
U.S. Central Command said the initiative would involve guided-missile destroyers, more than 100 aircraft and 15,000 service members; the Pentagon did not immediately clarify deployment specifics. Iran denounced the announcement, with the state-run IRNA calling it part of Trump’s “delirium.” Ebrahim Azizi, head of the Iranian parliament’s national security commission, said any interference in the strait would be a ceasefire violation.
The Strait of Hormuz has been effectively closed by Tehran since the war began after U.S. and Israeli actions on Feb. 28, disrupting roughly a fifth of global oil and natural gas trade and blocking shipments of fertilizer and other petroleum-derived goods. Hundreds of vessels and an estimated 20,000 seafarers — many from India and other parts of South and Southeast Asia — have been trapped in the Persian Gulf. Crews have reported intercepted drones and missiles exploding nearby and shortages of drinking water, food and supplies.
Earlier Sunday, the British United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center reported two attacks near the strait: an unidentified cargo ship north near Sirik, Iran, was attacked by multiple small craft, and a tanker was struck by “unknown projectiles” off Fujairah, United Arab Emirates, around 11:40 p.m. No injuries were reported. These were the first reported attacks in the area since April 22. Tehran denied an attack in one instance, saying a passing ship had been stopped for a documents check.
The British monitor also said ships near Ras al-Khaimah reported receiving VHF radio warnings to vacate anchorages; the sender was unclear. Iranian patrol boats — often small, nimble craft — pose detection challenges, and Trump last month ordered U.S. forces to “shoot and kill” small Iranian boats that deploy mines in the strait.
Separately, Tehran is reviewing the U.S. response to its latest 14-point proposal to end the war, Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman said. Iran’s plan calls for the U.S. to lift sanctions, end the U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports, withdraw forces from the region and cease hostilities — including Israeli operations in Lebanon — and seeks to resolve issues within 30 days. Iranian officials emphasized the talks are not about nuclear negotiations at this stage. Trump said he was reviewing the proposal but expressed doubt it would produce a deal.
Pakistan’s leadership has urged direct U.S.-Iran talks and hosted face-to-face discussions last month, passing messages between the sides, two Pakistani officials said.
Iran’s deputy parliament speaker, Ali Nikzad, said Tehran “will not back down” on its position regarding the Strait of Hormuz and will not return to prewar conditions. The U.S. has warned shipping companies they could face sanctions for paying Iran any form of toll, including digital assets.
Meanwhile, the U.S. naval blockade in place since April 13 has cut Tehran’s oil revenues; U.S. Central Command said 49 commercial ships were told to turn back. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told Fox News the tolls collected by Iran have been “less than $1.3 million,” calling it a pittance compared with previous daily oil revenue, and said Iran’s storage is filling up and could force it to start shutting in wells within about a week.