Trump announces ‘Project Freedom’ to help stranded ships leave Strait of Hormuz

The United States will launch an effort on Monday (May 4, 2026) to “guide” stranded ships from the Iran-gripped Strait of Hormuz, President Donald Trump said, giving few details about what could be a sweeping effort to help hundreds of vessels and some 20,000 seafarers.

Mr. Trump said in a social media post on Sunday (May 3, 2026) that “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.”