Skip next section US to 'guide ships safely' out of Hormuz as of Monday, Trump says
05/03/2026 May 3, 2026 US to 'guide ships safely' out of Hormuz as of Monday, Trump says
US President Donald Trump said that the US will begin to "guide ships" of countries not involved in the Middle East conflict out of the blocked Strait of Hormuz as of Monday.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump said the mission, which he dubbed "Project Freedom," would concern ships of "neutral and innocent bystanders."
"I have told my Representatives to inform them that we will use best efforts to get their Ships and Crews safely out of the Strait," Trump wrote.
He alluded to the ongoing peace negotiations, saying that "these discussions could lead to something very positive for all," but stressing that the mission to free ships was separate.
"The Ship movement is merely meant to free up people, companies, and Countries that have done absolutely nothing wrong — They are victims of circumstance." Trump said. "This is a humanitarian gesture on behalf of the United States, Middle Eastern Countries but, in particular, the Country of Iran."
It was not clear if this move was coordinated in advance with Iran, which has exercised de facto control over the Strait of Hormuz and has mostly blocked traffic via the critical waterway since the war started on February 28.
"If, in any way, this Humanitarian process is interfered with, that interference will, unfortunately, have to be dealt with forcefully," Trump said, without elaborating.