Iran warns Trump over Hormuz in ‘Project Freedom’ announcement

US President Donald Trump has announced a special operation called ‘Project Freedom’ to free ships stuck in the Strait of Hormuz. However, Iran has issued a stern warning, calling the initiative an ‘interference’.

Ebrahim Azizi, head of Iran’s national security agency, the National Security Commission, said in a post on social media that any interference by the US in the maritime management of the Strait of Hormuz would be considered a violation of the ongoing ceasefire.

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important international waterways, through which about one-fifth of global oil and gas transport is completed. Iran imposed a blockade on the strait on February 28 after Iran-US-Israel tensions began, resulting in the detention of hundreds of commercial ships.

In a post on Truth Social on Sunday (May 3), Trump said that the US Navy would help to safely evacuate the stranded ships by patrolling. He said the initiative was taken in response to requests from various countries, as many of these ships are not directly involved in the ongoing conflict.

It is reported that the 'Project Freedom' operation is scheduled to begin on Monday morning local time in the United States (night in Bangladesh time).

Analysts believe that tensions in the Strait of Hormuz may increase again after the warning from Iran immediately after Trump's announcement.