Trump: U.S. Navy will escort ships out of Strait of Hormuz from Monday

Source: Axios

Updated 14 mins ago


President Trump said the U.S. Navy will start escorting ships from foreign countries through the Strait of Hormuz from Monday and warned that if Iran tries to disrupt the process the American military will use force.

Why it matters: This move that Trump called "Project Freedom" is the most significant step by his administration to try and reopen the key strait since Iran shut it down early in the war.

While Trump claims the move is "humanitarian," it is a clear U.S. challenge to Tehran's effort to control the strait. An Iranian military response could spark a confrontation or even an escalation back to war.

Many of these ships are running low on food, and other supplies for their crews and suffer from health and sanitary problems, Trump said.

'The Ships movement is merely meant to free up people, companies, and Countries that have done absolutely nothing wrong — They are victims of circumstance. This is a Humanitarian gesture on behalf of the United States, Middle Eastern Countries but, in particular, the Country of Iran," Trump said.

"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," he added.