On Sunday, May 3, Donald Trump announced “very positive” discussions with Iran while launching an operation to unlock ships immobilized in the Gulf. However, Tehran quickly reacted by warning against any American intervention.
“Any American intervention in the new maritime regime of the Strait of Hormuz will be considered a violation of the ceasefire,” warned Ebrahim Azizi, president of the Iranian Parliament’s national security commission.
The American president, who initiated hostilities against Iran on February 28 in Israel, struck a significantly different tone the next day. He mentioned “a humanitarian gesture” and “goodwill” towards the sailors blocked by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, while praising “very positive” discussions with Tehran conducted through Pakistan.
15,000 troops mobilized
On his Truth Social platform, he specified that starting from Monday morning (local time), the US Navy would escort ships from countries “unrelated to the Middle East conflict” to allow them to leave the area.
He, however, warned that if this mission, named Project Freedom, was hindered, it “unfortunately should be dealt with by force,” presenting the initiative as a humanitarian effort to assist crews in distress.
According to the US Central Command for the Middle East (Centcom), the operation will involve significant resources, including missile-launching destroyers, over a hundred aircraft, and approximately 15,000 soldiers.
