Trump: Ships will be escorted from the Strait of Hormuz, it is a humanitarian gesture

(Patria) - US President Donald Trump announced that the United States will escort foreign ships from the Strait of Hormuz in a humanitarian operation while the war with Iran lasts, Reuters reported last night.

Trump said the initiative, which will begin on Monday morning, is called "Operation Freedom" and aims to help "neutral and innocent observers" who are blocked on that waterway.

Trump wrote on Truth Social: "Countries from all over the world, almost none of whom are involved in the Middle East dispute that is unfolding so visibly and violently, for all to see, have asked the United States to help them free their ships that are stuck in the Strait of Hormuz on something they have absolutely nothing to do with. They are just neutral and innocent observers!

For the good of Iran, the Middle East, and the United States, we have told these countries that we will safely escort their ships out of these restricted waterways, so that they can conduct their business freely and nimbly.

Again, these are ships from areas of the world that are in no way involved in what is currently happening in the Middle East. I told my representatives to inform them that we will make maximum efforts to safely extract their ships and crews from the strait. In all cases, they said they would not return until the area becomes safe for navigation and everything else. This process, Operation Freedom, will begin on Monday morning, Middle East time.

I am fully aware that my representatives are having very positive talks with the country of Iran and that these talks could lead to something very positive for everyone. The movement of ships is solely intended to free people, companies, and countries that have done absolutely nothing wrong – they are victims of circumstances.

This is a humanitarian gesture on behalf of the United States, the countries of the Middle East, but especially the country of Iran. Many of these ships are running out of food and everything else needed to keep large crews on board in a healthy and sanitary manner. I think this would greatly show goodwill on behalf of all those who have been fighting so hard in recent months. If this humanitarian process is hindered in any way, that hindrance will, unfortunately, have to be dealt with forcefully. Thank you for your attention to this matter!“

Iranian Offer

The announcement followed Iran's submission of a fourteen-point plan calling on Washington to end the war within thirty days. The request aims to resolve the conflict, rather than extend the ceasefire, according to Iranian state media.

Trump added on Saturday that he was considering a new Iranian proposal to end the war, but also expressed doubt that it would lead to a deal.

The proposal, which is a response to a nine-point US plan, also calls on Washington to lift sanctions on Iran, end the naval blockade, withdraw forces from the region, and cease all hostilities, including Israeli operations in Lebanon, according to the semi-official Nour News agency.

Iran sent its response through a Pakistani mediator, the news agency reported.

Pakistan has hosted negotiations between Iran and the US in the past, and Trump rejected a previous Iranian proposal this week.

However, talks have continued and a fragile three-week ceasefire appears to be holding.

On Sunday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi spoke with Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi, who oversaw previous rounds of negotiations between the US and Iran before the latest round of fighting.

Iran closed the strait after the US and Israel began the war on February 28.

Iran then offered some ships passage through routes closer to its coast, occasionally charging fees. The United States responded with a naval blockade of Iranian ports from April 13.