By Raul Castillo
The United States will begin safely escorting ships from countries not involved in the war with Iran out of the Strait of Hormuz on Monday, President Donald Trump announced this Sunday.
“We have assured these countries that we will guide their ships out of these restricted sea lanes,” Trump wrote in Truth Social, announcing the start of the operation, dubbed “Project Freedom.”
According to the president, several countries—the majority without participation in the conflict in the Middle East— They requested help from Washington to allow the safe departure of their vesselsheld in the strait amid growing regional tension.
Trump claimed that these nations are “mere neutral and innocent bystanders” and stressed that their ships have no connection to the current crisis. He added that he has already instructed his representatives to coordinate the evacuation of the ships and guarantee the safety of their crews.
The president pointed out that Many of the vessels face shortages of food and other essential supplies, which, he said, has complicated living conditions on board.
“The transfer of the ships has as sole objective to free people, companies and countries that have not committed any crime; “They are victims of circumstances.” Trump said, describing the initiative as a “humanitarian gesture.”
The president also assured that US officials maintain “very positive” conversations with Iran, and expressed confidence that those negotiations could lead to a favorable outcome for all parties involved.
Trump warned, however, that any attempt to hinder the operation will be met with firmness. “If, in any way, this humanitarian process is interfered with, such interference will have to be dealt with firmly,” wrote.
Attack on bulk ship
The initiative announced by Trump It was invented amid a deterioration in maritime security around the Strait of Hormuz.
This Sunday, a merchant ship reported being attacked by several small boats while transiting near the strategic route, in an incident from which the entire crew emerged unharmed, as reported on Sunday by the United Kingdom’s maritime trade operations center.
No one immediately claimed responsibility for the attack.
With this new episode, There are already at least two dozen security incidents recorded in the strait and its surroundings since the beginning of the conflict with Iran.
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