President Trump said in a long post on Truth Social on Sunday night that the US has informed other countries that the US will help “guide” their commercial ships out of the Strait of Hormuz, a move that would mark an escalation of US military operations off of Iran’s coast and risk an Iranian response.
The president dubbed the effort “Project Freedom” and said that it would begin on Monday morning, Iran time. Trump said the countries the US will assist are “neutral” and the “victim of circumstance,” that circumstance being the US and Israel launching a war with Iran.
“This is a Humanitarian gesture on behalf of the United States, Middle Eastern Countries, But, in particular, the Country of Iran,” Trump wrote. “If, in any way, this Humanitarian process is interfered with, that interference will, unfortunately, have to be dealt with forcefully.”
Trump also said in the post that his representatives are “having very positive discussions with the Country of Iran, and that these discussions could lead to something very positive for all,” though there are currently no direct negotiations as messages are being passed through Pakistan.
The US has responded to Iran’s new proposal, which, according to Iranian media, is aimed at putting a permanent end to hostilities in the region, including in Lebanon, where Israel has continued its occupation, heavy strikes, and demolition of buildings despite a ceasefire agreement and Trump’s declaration that Israel was “prohibited” from further attacks in the country.
Some media reports said that Iran’s 14-point proposal included a 15-year freeze on Iran’s uranium enrichment and a resumption of enrichment at the 3.67% level, but Iran’s Foreign Ministry denied that it was the case. “The plan we have presented is centered on ending the war. There are absolutely no details regarding the country’s nuclear issues in this proposal,” said Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei.
Baqaei also said that the “Americans have given their answer to Iran’s 14-point plan to the Pakistani side, and we are currently reviewing it.”
