Large ship sailing into harbor at sunset

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Trump Launches 'Project Freedom' to Free Hormuz Ships

worldMay 5, 2026·379 words·3 min read

On Sunday, May 3, U.S. President Donald Trump announced "Project Freedom," an operation to help merchant ships safely leave the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway between Iran and Oman that handles roughly one-fifth of the world's oil and gas. On Truth Social, Trump said the United States would "guide" stranded vessels out of the strait beginning Monday morning, calling it a humanitarian gesture for crews running low on food and supplies. U.S.

The crisis began on February 28, 2026, after the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran. Iran closed the strait to most foreign ships and demanded a toll. Trump then blocked Iranian ports. More than 850 ships and about 20,000 sailors are now stuck in the Persian Gulf. Traffic through the strait has fallen over 90 percent. On Friday, Iran sent a peace proposal through Pakistan to reopen the strait, but it did not discuss nuclear weapons.

The crisis pushed oil prices up. Brent crude went above $126 a barrel last week. U.S. gasoline prices reached $4.39 a gallon. Trump warned that any interference would be 'dealt with forcefully.' Iranian commanders said they will hit back hard if the U.S. attacks again. Trump plans to visit China on May 14, and Project Freedom may shape future talks and energy prices.

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