President Donald Trump announced a U.S. military operation to guide stranded foreign ships out of the Strait of Hormuz starting Monday [1].

The initiative, titled "Project Freedom," comes as the U.S. attempts to resolve a maritime deadlock in one of the world's most critical shipping lanes. The move aims to restore commercial flow and reduce international tension in the Middle East [2].

Trump said that countries from all over the world, most of which are not involved in Middle Eastern disputes, asked the U.S. to help free their ships [3]. He said that hundreds of ships are currently stuck in the Strait [4].

"We will guide their ships," Trump said [5].

The president framed the operation as a benefit for the United States, the Middle East, and Iran [2]. He said that the goal is to allow these vessels to leave the area and get on with their business [2].

While the U.S. prepares to launch the operation, Tehran has offered a conflicting perspective on the status of the waterway. According to reports, Tehran said the Strait of Hormuz is open to all except the U.S. and its allies [6].

Project Freedom involves the U.S. military providing direct guidance to vessels from other nations to ensure they exit the narrow passage safely [7]. The operation is slated to begin on May 4, 2026 [1].

“"We will guide their ships."”

The announcement of Project Freedom signals a shift toward active U.S. military intervention to maintain global trade routes in the Middle East. By positioning the operation as a response to international requests, the U.S. is attempting to build a multilateral justification for its presence in the Strait. However, the contradiction between Trump's claims of stranded ships and Iran's assertion that the waterway is open—except to the U.S.—suggests a high risk of naval friction as the operation begins.