Washington: U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Monday that the United States will initiate efforts to guide neutral ships stranded in the Strait of Hormuz. This initiative comes as part of a "humanitarian gesture" amidst the ongoing Middle East crisis.
According to Yonhap News Agency, approximately 2,000 vessels, including 26 South Korean-flagged ships, have been trapped in the strait since late February. The conflict, which began after U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran, has effectively shut down this crucial maritime passageway.
In a recent post on his Truth Social platform, Trump emphasized the impact on "neutral and innocent" countries, stating, "We have told these countries that we will guide their ships safely out of these restricted waterways, so that they can freely and ably get on with their business." The plan, dubbed "Project Freedom," is set to commence Monday morning, Middle East time, with Trump warning that any interference will be met with a forceful response.
The blockade of the Strait of Hormuz has severely disrupted global energy and goods supplies, as it is a critical route for about 20 percent of the world's oil and natural gas trade. In an effort to resolve the crisis, Trump had extended a ceasefire deadline in early April, urging Iran to propose a new peace plan while simultaneously maintaining pressure through naval blockades and economic sanctions.
Despite these efforts, peace talks have remained at an impasse, with a direct meeting in Islamabad last month failing to yield any agreement between the conflicting sides.