- May 9, 2026
‘Project Freedom Plus’: Trump Warns Escalated US Naval Operation If Iran Peace Talks Fail
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Trump said his government could “go back to Project Freedom” if a deal is not reached with Iran.
US President Donald Trump (Image: Reuters/File)
US President Donald Trump warned that his administration may revive the suspended maritime security initiative known as “Project Freedom”, as tensions continue to rise in the Gulf and commercial vessels remain trapped in the Strait of Hormuz.
Speaking to reporters at the White House on Friday (local time) before travelling to a dinner at his golf course in Sterling, Virginia, Trump said his government could “go back to Project Freedom” if a deal is not reached with Iran. He added that any renewed operation would be expanded into what he called “Project Freedom plus”.
“If everything doesn’t get signed up, buttoned up, we’ll go a different route,” Trump said. “I think Project Freedom is good, but I think we have other ways of doing it also. We may go back to Project Freedom if things don’t happen, but it’d be Project Freedom plus, meaning Project Freedom plus other things.”
The initiative, aimed at ensuring the safe passage of commercial ships through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, was paused earlier in the week. On Tuesday, Trump announced that “Project Freedom” would be temporarily halted while a naval blockade of Iran’s ports remains in place.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said the pause followed requests from Pakistan, which has been acting as a mediator between Washington and Tehran, as well as appeals from other countries. He claimed the decision also reflected what he described as “tremendous” military gains in the campaign against Iran and progress towards a potential agreement with Iranian representatives.
“Based on the request of Pakistan and other Countries, the tremendous Military Success that we have had during the Campaign against the Country of Iran and, additionally, the fact that Great Progress has been made toward a Complete and Final Agreement with Representatives of Iran, we have mutually agreed that, while the Blockade will remain in full force and effect, Project Freedom (The Movement of Ships through the Strait of Hormuz) will be paused for a short period of time to see whether or not the Agreement can be finalised and signed,” Trump wrote.
Trump has previously faced obstacles in implementing the initiative. According to NBC News, he halted “Project Freedom” after Saudi Arabia refused to allow American aircraft involved in the operation to use Prince Sultan Airbase southeast of Riyadh or to fly through Saudi airspace.
Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)
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