Trump Announces 'Project Freedom' to Guide Ships Through Strait of Hormuz as Iran Threatens Retaliation
On May 4, 2026, U.S. President Donald Trump announced 'Project Freedom,' a U.S.-led operation to guide neutral ships through the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran had effectively closed. The operation began on Monday, with the U.S. Navy tasked with escorting ships out of the strait. Iran warned the U.S. to stay clear, threatening harsh retaliation if the U.S. entered the area.
Where Sources Diverge
The number of ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday versus Sunday differed between sources.
Nine ships passed through the Strait of Hormuz in both directions on Saturday, only two Iranian commercial vessels did this on Sunday.
The exact date of the operation's start varied slightly between sources, with some reporting it as starting on Monday, May 4, 2026, and others as starting on May 4, 2026.
Project Freedom would begin on Monday.
US to start operation to evacuate ships locked up in Hormuz on Monday — Trump.
Trump Says US to Help Some Ships Exit Hormuz Starting Monday.
US to ‘guide’ stranded ships out of Strait of Hormuz, says Trump.
Trump says US to help escort neutral ships out of Strait of Hormuz starting Monday.
Trump says US will help free ships stranded in Strait of Hormuz.
Trump says the US will ‘guide’ stranded ships from the Strait of Hormuz, starting on Monday.
Trump says the US will 'guide' stranded ships from the Strait of Hormuz, starting on Monday.
Project Freedom would begin on Monday (May 4, 2026) morning in West Asia.
Trump says US to help ships stranded in Strait of Hormuz.
The United States will launch an effort on Monday to 'guide' stranded ships from the Iran-gripped Strait of Hormuz.
Oil markets were lower in early trade on Monday morning as investors monitored developments in the Middle East.
Trump says US to help ships stranded in Strait of Hormuz as tanker fired on.
Ship struck in Strait of Hormuz as Trump says US Navy would escort tankers.
Trump says US to help ships stranded in Strait of Hormuz as tanker hit by projectiles.
Trump’s ‘Project Freedom’: Can US navy ‘guide’ stuck ships out of Hormuz?
First Thing: Trump says US navy will ‘guide’ trapped ships through strait of Hormuz.
Iran Threatens Ships Over Trump Plan to Break Iran’s Blockade.
Donald Trump threatens to 'blow Iran off face of the Earth' if US vessels attacked.
Trump says Iran has taken shots at S. Korean vessel, calls for Seoul to join Strait of Hormuz mission.
Attacks on U.S. Warships in Strait Test Trump’s Desire to End Iran War.
Trump calls on South Korea to join operations in Strait of Hormuz.
Trump threatens to blow Iran ‘off the face of the earth’ if it attacks US vessels.
Trump torn on Iran war plan after attacks on US ships in Strait of Hormuz - WSJ.
Attacks on U.S. Warships in Strait Test Trump’s Desire to End Iran War.
Trump calls on South Korea to join operations in Strait of Hormuz.
Timelines
Sources
Trump torn on Iran war plan after attacks on US ships in Strait of Hormuz - WSJ The Jerusalem Post
Attacks on U.S. Warships in Strait Test Trump’s Desire to End Iran War WSJ
US launched an operation on Monday in the Gulf, dragging the region back to the brink of full-scale war Sign up for the Breaking News US newsletter email Donald Trump has threatened that Iran will be “blown off the face of the earth” if it attacks US vessels trying to reopen a route through the strait of Hormuz. The US launched an operation on Monday to help hundreds of ships trapped with their crews in the Gulf, dragging the region back to the brink of full-scale war. Continue reading...
The US leader also issued another warning to Iran regarding the Strait of Hormuz
Trump says Iran has taken shots at S. Korean vessel, calls for Seoul to join Strait of Hormuz mission Yonhap News Agency
Trump says Iran would be 'blown off the face of the Earth' if US vessels attacked Anadolu Ajansı
Donald Trump threatens to 'blow Iran off face of the Earth' if US vessels attacked The Jerusalem Post
Trump says US navy will free up ships stranded in the Gulf, but it remains unclear how the campaign will be implemented.
A senior Iranian military official warned that any vessel that tried to cross the Strait of Hormuz without permission would be “at risk.”
US president’s post follows flurry of mixed signals including concern Tehran had not ‘paid big enough price’. Plus, could Santa Marta climate talks mark ground zero in push to ditch fossil fuels? Don’t already get First Thing in your inbox? Sign up here Good morning. Donald Trump has announced this morning that the US will “guide” ships trapped in the Gulf by the Iran war through the strait of Hormuz, and claimed his representatives were having “very positive” discussions with Iran. What has Iran said? The head of the Iranian military’s unified command has said US and foreign armed forces will be attacked if they enter the strait. It told US forces to stay out of the area and said its forces would respond harshly to any threat. It also told commercial ships and oil tankers to refrain from any movement in the absence of coordination with Iran’s military. What did Comey say about the post? Comey deleted the postand apologized. He said the hadn’t known what the expression meant and condemned violence. He has said he is innocent and denies any wrongdoing. Continue reading...
President Trump announced that the U.S will "guide" stranded ships through the Strait of Hormuz. And, Democrats face an uphill battle to gain Senate control. Here are the key races to watch.
US to Aid Some Ships Out of Hormuz From Today Bloomberg.com
President Trump said the US will begin Project Freedom on Monday to guide stranded ships out of the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran warns US Navy to stay clear of Hormuz after Trump says US to help stranded ships The Straits Times
Trump Announces ‘Humanitarian’ Plan to Get Ships Through Hormuz Bloomberg.com
U.S.-led task force tells ships to reroute on first day of new effort to reopen the Strait of Hormuz The Washington Post
U.S.-led task force tells ships to reroute on first day of new effort to reopen the Strait of Hormuz AP News
Ship struck in Strait of Hormuz as Trump says US Navy would escort tankers The National
Trump Says US to Start Guiding Trapped Ships through Hormuz Bloomberg.com
Trump says US to help ships stranded in Strait of Hormuz as tanker fired on Al Arabiya English
Oil markets were lower in early trade on Monday morning as investors monitored developments in the Middle East.
The United States will launch an effort on Monday to "guide" stranded ships from the Iran-gripped Strait of Hormuz, President Donald Trump said, as two ships around the strait reported attacks.
Brent crude is largely unmoved by Trump's announcement of the operation, dubbed Project Freedom.
A tanker reported being hit by unknown projectiles in the Strait of Hormuz, a maritime security organisation has said, shortly after President Donald Trump said the US would start helping free ships stranded in the Gulf by the US-Israeli war on Iran.
US President Donald Trump launched 'Project Freedom' to aid commercial ships stranded in the Strait of Hormuz, citing humanitarian concerns and low supplies. He stated the US will guide vessels safely out, emphasizing these ships belong to nations uninvolved in regional disputes. Trump also revealed positive discussions with Iran, though he rejected their latest proposal for conflict resolution.
Trump says US to help ships stranded in Strait of Hormuz as tanker hit by projectiles The Straits Times
Trump says US to help ships stranded in Strait of Hormuz as tanker hit by projectiles Reuters
Trump Says U.S. Will Guide Stranded Ships Through Strait of Hormuz WSJ
Watch Trump Says US to Guide Ships Through Hormuz & US-EU Tariffs Dispute | Daybreak Europe 05/04/2026 Bloomberg.com
Watch Trump Says US to Guide Trapped Ships Through Hormuz Bloomberg.com
Watch Trump: US to Start Guiding Trapped Ships Through Hormuz Bloomberg.com
“Project Freedom” would begin on Monday (May 4, 2026) morning in West Asia, Mr. Trump said, adding that his representatives are having discussions with Iran that could lead to something “very positive for all”
Oil slips after Trump says US will help free ships stranded in Strait of Hormuz Reuters
Oil Falls as Trump Says US to Start Guiding Ships Through Hormuz Bloomberg.com
Iran War: Trump Says US to Help Some Ships Exit Hormuz Bloomberg.com
Trump says U.S. will guide ships through Strait of Hormuz The Washington Post
Trump says ships blocked in Hormuz to be freed on Monday Middle East Eye
Trump calls Iran talks ‘very positive,’ US to ‘guide’ ships through Hormuz from May 4 The Straits Times
Trump says the US will 'guide' stranded ships from the Strait of Hormuz, starting on Monday The Washington Post
Trump says the US will ‘guide’ stranded ships from the Strait of Hormuz, starting on Monday AP News
The US president says many countries are concerned about the trade ships stranded in the strait
Trump says US will help free ships stranded in Strait of Hormuz The Straits Times
Trump says US to help escort neutral ships out of Strait of Hormuz starting Monday Anadolu Ajansı
US to ‘guide’ stranded ships out of Strait of Hormuz, says Trump Financial Times
Trump Says US to Help Some Ships Leave Hormuz Starting Monday Bloomberg.com
Trump Says US to Help Some Ships Exit Hormuz Starting Monday Bloomberg.com
US president says any interference with operation, which will start on Monday, will 'have to be dealt with forcefully'.
US President Donald Trump announced a project that will start on Monday to help stranded ships leave the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran has effectively closed, but offered few details. In a social media post on Sunday, Trump said “neutral and innocent” countries have been affected by the Iran war and “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”. “Project Freedom” would begin on...
Thus, whereas nine ships passed through the Strait of Hormuz in both directions on Saturday, on Sunday, according to Bloomberg, only two Iranian commercial vessels did this