Trump says the US will 'guide' stranded ships from the Strait of Hormuz

A man stands in the water, appearing to fish, as bulk carriers, cargo ships, and service vessels line the horizon in the Strait of Hormuz off Bandar Abbas, Iran, Monday, April 27, 2026. Razieh Poudat/AP/ISNA hide caption toggle caption Razieh Poudat/AP/ISNA DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — The United States will launch an effort on Monday to "guide" stranded ships from the Iran-gripped Strait of Hormuz, President Donald Trump said, as two ships around the strait reported attacks. Trump gave few details about what could be a sweeping attempt to help hundreds of vessels and some 20,000 seafarers. Iran quickly denounced the move as a ceasefire violation. Trump said in a social media post on Sunday 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." "Project Freedom" would begin on Monday morning in the Middle East, Trump said, adding that his representatives are having discussions with Iran that could lead to something "very positive for all." U.S. Central Command said the initiative would involve guided-missile destroyers, more than 100 aircraft and 15,000 service members. The Pentagon did not immediately answer questions about how they would be deployed. Iran's effective closure of the strait, imposed after the U.S. and Israel launched the war on Feb. 28, has shaken global markets. …