US launches “Project Freedom” to guide ships out of Hormuz: Fox News

WASHINGTON: The United States has launched a mission dubbed “Project Freedom” to help guide stranded commercial vessels out of the Strait of Hormuz, Fox News reported, citing U.S. officials.

According to the news channel, President Donald Trump described the move as a humanitarian effort to assist “neutral and innocent” ships facing shortages of food and basic supplies after being trapped for weeks in the conflict-hit waterway.

The report said the operation aims to secure safe passage for vessels stuck in the strategic chokepoint, where hostilities have disrupted global shipping and raised concerns over the safety of crews.

The White House has not yet issued a detailed statement on the scope or timeline of the mission.

BREAKING: The United States launches Project Freedom in the Middle East to guide stranded ships out of the Strait of Hormuz.

President Trump calls the move a humanitarian gesture as these “neutral and innocent” ships run out of food and supplies, @BryanLlenas reports |… pic.twitter.com/3ZxH0KdFQ9

— Fox News (@FoxNews) May 4, 2026

Earlier, Tehran issued a stern warning to the United States military to remain outside the Strait of Hormuz, following Donald Trump’s announcement of a mission to liberate vessels trapped by the ongoing conflict.

The Iranian military command issued the directive on Monday, signalling a potential escalation in an already volatile region, according to Reuters.

The warning comes in direct response to statements from the White House suggesting that U.S. forces would intervene to assist commercial ships currently “locked up” in the Gulf.

For over two months, the vital waterway has been a focal point of the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, leaving dozens of international crews stranded in what is increasingly being described as a humanitarian and logistical nightmare.

Stranded crews facing supply shortages

President Trump, providing sparse technical details on the proposed operation, stated that the United States would take a leading role in freeing ships that have been immobilised since the outbreak of hostilities.

“We have crews out there who have been stuck for more than sixty days,” the President remarked during a press briefing. “They are running out of food, they are running out of basic supplies, and we are going to get them out.”

The maritime industry has expressed growing alarm over the welfare of hundreds of sailors caught in the crossfire. Shipping lanes in the Strait through which roughly a fifth of the world’s oil passes have become virtually impassable due to active combat operations and the threat of naval mines.

Reports from within the Gulf suggest that several tankers are now operating on emergency rations, with limited access to fresh water or medical assistance as the blockade persists.