3 May 2026
Trump says US will ‘safely expel’ ships from Hormuz from Monday
US President Donald Trump said the US will begin expelling ships from countries not involved in the Middle East conflict from the blocked Strait of Hormuz on Monday.
In a post on his Truth social platform, Trump said the mission, which he dubbed “Project Freedom”, would concern ships of “neutral and innocent bystanders.”
“I have asked my representatives to inform them that we will make every effort to get their ships and crew safely out of the strait,” Trump wrote.
He pointed to the ongoing peace talks, saying that “something very positive can come from these discussions for everyone,” but stressed that the mission to free the ships was separate.
“The aim of the cruise movement is simply to liberate people, companies and countries who have done nothing wrong – they are victims of circumstance.” Trump said. “This is a humanitarian gesture on behalf of the United States, the Middle Eastern countries, especially the country of Iran.”
It is unclear whether the move was coordinated in advance with Iran, which has exercised de facto control over the Strait of Hormuz and blocked traffic through the vital waterway since the war began on February 28.
“If, in any way, this humanitarian process is interfered with, unfortunately, that interference will have to be met with force,” Trump said, without elaborating.