Posted on 05/03/2026 2:32:59 PM PDT by yesthatjallen
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday announced a new initiative aimed at safely escorting foreign vessels stranded in the Strait of Hormuz, amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East.
In a statement posted online, Trump said multiple countries had requested U.S. assistance to help free their ships, describing them as “neutral and innocent bystanders” caught in a conflict they are not involved in.
The U.S. president revealed that Washington would begin guiding these vessels out of restricted waters under a plan dubbed “Project Freedom,” scheduled to start Monday morning, Middle East time.
Trump emphasized that the operation is intended as a humanitarian effort to ensure the safety of crews and allow global trade to continue uninterrupted. He noted that some of the ships have been stranded long enough to face shortages of food and essential supplies.
SNIP
(Excerpt) Read more at kurdistan24.net ...
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Representatives to inform them that we will use best efforts to get their Ships and Crews safely out of the Strait. In all cases, they said they will not be returning until the area becomes safe for navigation, and everything else. This process, Project Freedom, will begin Monday morning, Middle East time. I am fully aware that my Representatives are having very positive discussions with the Country of Iran, and that these discussions could lead to something very positive for all. The Ship movement is merely meant to free up people, companies, and Countries that have done absolutely nothing wrong — They are victims of circumstance. This is a Humanitarian gesture on behalf of the United States, Middle Eastern Countries but, in particular, the Country of Iran. Many of these Ships are running low on food, and everything else necessary for largescale crews to stay on board in a healthy and sanitary manner. I think it would go a long way in showing Goodwill on behalf of all of those who have been fighting so strenuously over the last number of months. If, in any way, this Humanitarian process is interfered with, that interference will, unfortunately, have to be dealt with forcefully. Thank you for your attention to this matter!"
DONALD J. TRUMP
PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/116512555123589170
Siege warfare. 🤟
Carry on Mr.President.
There will be a lot of ordnance fired at the ship and its escort...likely a DDG.
With lots of air cover they’ll likely get through with a few hits.
But it’s likely this announcement is aimed more at the oil market tomorrow.
This is going to be a “red line in the sand.” If Iran or specifically the IRGC attacks neutral ships on Monday, I fully expect that Trump will unleash hell on the IRGC. I wouldn’t be a bit surprised if prior to the first ship being escorted that every bomber in the theater is not doing “hot laps” with fully loaded ordinance, to say nothing of every fighter, helicopter and A-10.
Hush.
Adults are talking.
SEC. 3. The President in every possible instance shall consult with Congress
before introducing United States Armed Forces into hostilities
or into situations where imminent involvement in hostilities is clearly indicated by the circumstances,
and after every such introduction shall consult regularly with the Congress
until United States Armed Forces are no longer engaged in hostilities or have been removed from such situations.
REPORTING
SEC. 4. (a) In the absence of a declaration of war, in any case in which United States Armed Forces are introduced—
(1) into hostilities or into situations where imminent involvement in hostilities is clearly indicated by the circumstances;
(2) into the territory, airspace or waters of a foreign nation, while equipped for combat, except for deployments which relate
solely to supply, replacement, repair, or training of such forces; or
(3) in numbers which substantially enlarge United States Armed Forces equipped for combat already located in a foreign nation;
the President shall submit within 48 hours to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and to the President pro tempore of the Senate a report, in writing, setting forth—
(A) the circumstances necessitating the introduction of United States Armed Forces;
(B) the constitutional and legislative authority under which such introduction took place; and
(C) the estimated scope and duration of the hostilities or involvement.
(b) Within sixty calendar days after a report is submitted or is required to be submitted pursuant to section 4(a)(1), whichever is earlier,
the President shall terminate any use of United States Armed Forces with respect to which such report was submitted (or required to be submitted),
unless the Congress
(1) has declared war or has enacted a specific authorization for such use of United States Armed Forces,
(2) has extended by law such sixty-day period, or
(3) is physically unable to meet as a result of an armed attack upon the United States.
Such sixty-day period shall be extended for not more than an additional thirty days
if the President determines and certifies to the Congress in writing
that unavoidable military necessity respecting the safety of United States Armed Forces
requires the continued use of such armed forces in the course of bringing about a prompt removal of such forces.
https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/93/hjres542/text
Trump can under international law can come to the rescue of ships that are under attack, but it is not clear to me that he can have the US Navy escort them.
The minesweepers have to be removed under the War Powers Act.
There is also the issue of obtaining clearance to pass through the waters that Oman now claims.
In any case, I hope they hear it.
This is a unique type of mission. It looks like the U.S. Navy will be escorting ships out of the Gulf only. No shipping company will want their ships going back in there until the situation cools off.
Good move
“It’s identical to what Cesar did to the the Gauls at Alesia.”
Sans the digging of 25 miles of trenches.
Indeed.
We see the inherent problem of drawing lines on sand.
Sunrise is in less than one hour, 5:40 AM Dubai time.
I doubt many will take up the offer unless their insurance carriers approve it.
Trump loves our country and its Armed Forces. These solders are our family members and I have no doubt they would, and will fight when called upon.
Others just see them as their “tools” to hurt Trump and most importantly. Our Country. 🇺🇸👍 Peace.☮️
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