Donald Trump has announced that the United States will begin assisting commercial vessels stranded in the Gulf amid escalating tensions linked to the ongoing US-Israel conflict with Iran.
According to a report by Reuters, the initiative is set to commence on Monday. While specific operational details remain limited, Trump indicated the effort would focus on aiding ships and their crews that have been effectively trapped in the strategic waterway and are facing shortages of food and essential supplies.
“We have informed these countries that we will guide their ships safely through restricted waterways, enabling them to resume normal operations,” Trump stated in a post on his Truth Social account.
In response, Iranian officials described the potential move as a violation of the ceasefire and warned that any US involvement in the Strait of Hormuz would have serious consequences.
The International Maritime Organization estimates that hundreds of vessels and up to 20,000 seafarers have been unable to pass through the strait due to the conflict.
United States Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed it would support the mission by deploying approximately 15,000 military personnel, alongside more than 100 aircraft, naval vessels, and drones. The operation is intended to restore freedom of navigation for commercial shipping in the region.
“Our support for this defensive mission is critical to regional security and the global economy, even as we maintain the naval blockade,” said Admiral Brad Cooper, commander of CENTCOM.
Shortly after Trump’s announcement, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations reported that a tanker had been struck by unidentified projectiles in the Strait of Hormuz. The incident occurred approximately 78 nautical miles north of Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates. All crew members were reported safe.
For more than two months, Iran has significantly restricted shipping traffic in the Gulf, permitting primarily its own vessels to pass.
The disruption has driven global energy prices higher. Several ships attempting to transit the strait have reportedly come under fire, while others have been seized by Iranian forces. In response, the United States imposed a blockade last month on vessels departing from Iranian ports.
The Trump administration has also been working to build an international coalition aimed at securing maritime routes in the region. CENTCOM stated that the initiative would integrate diplomatic efforts with coordinated military action.
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