Trump Launches Operation to Free Ships Held in Strait of Hormuz

U.S. President Donald Trump announced Sunday that a humanitarian operation called "Project Freedom" would begin Monday to help ships trapped in the Persian Gulf due to Iran's closure of the Strait of Hormuz, with over 100 aircraft and 15,000 military personnel reportedly mobilized for the mission. The announcement came as Iran threatened to attack any vessel, including U.S. ships, that attempts to traverse the strategic waterway, escalating tensions in the region and rattling global financial markets. Trump described the initiative as a response to requests from nations uninvolved in the U.S.-Iran conflict whose vessels have been held hostage in what he called an unjust situation, adding that the operation aims to guide ships safely out of restricted waters as a "humanitarian gesture." Iran's military command was swift in its rejection of the U.S. plan, with General Ali Abdolahi of the Khatam al-Anbiya Unified Operations Command warning that "any foreign armed force, especially the aggressive U.S. Army, will be targeted by our attacks if it attempts to approach or enter the Strait of Hormuz." The general also called on commercial ships and oil tankers to refrain from any transit attempts without coordination with Iranian forces stationed at the strait, stating that U.S. actions to alter the current situation would only "further complicate the scenario and endanger the security of vessels in this area." Iran's ambassador to the United Nations characterized Washington's proposed escort mission as a direct violation of the ceasefire agreement. The U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, Michael Waltz, defended the initiative and compared the Strait of Hormuz to other critical maritime chokepoints like Gibraltar and the Strait of Malacca, arguing that the world cannot allow a precedent where one party punishes global economies for leverage. However, key allies have shown reluctance, with French President Emmanuel Macron refusing to join the mission, citing unclear operational parameters and noting that France and Britain are already coordinating a separate naval mission with 30 other countries. Meanwhile, EU High Representative Kaja Kallas commented separately on the announced withdrawal of 5,000 U.S. troops from Germany, calling it "surprising" and emphasizing Europe's need to strengthen its role within NATO. Financial markets reflected the uncertainty, with oil prices rising significantly as investors closely monitored developments in the standoff.