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The world’s most critical oil artery is frozen, thousands of sailors are stranded, and tensions are one misstep away from exploding again. Now, US President Donald Trump says American forces will move in.

"Project Freedom" Sparks Global Attention

The United States will begin operations Monday to free merchant ships trapped in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping lane shut down by Iran since the war began.

Trump called the mission "Project Freedom" a "humanitarian gesture", but issued a blunt warning that any interference would "be dealt with forcefully".

The scale is massive.

US Central Command confirmed roughly 15,000 service members, guided missile destroyers, and more than 100 aircraft will take part. At the same time, Washington says its blockade of Iranian ports will remain firmly in place.

Ceasefire on Edge as Threats Intensify

The operation unfolds during a fragile ceasefire that began April 8, with both sides publicly working toward a permanent peace deal.

But behind the scenes, tensions are rising fast.

A senior Iranian official warned that any US move in the strait would violate the ceasefire. Iran’s military went further, declaring it will attack any foreign forces entering the waterway, "especially, the aggressive US army".

The risk of confrontation is immediate and real.

Global Energy Shock and Thousands Trapped

Iran’s closure of the strait has triggered a global ripple effect.

Fuel prices have surged worldwide as roughly 20 percent of the planet’s oil and liquefied natural gas normally flows through this narrow passage.

At sea, the human toll is growing.

Around 2,000 ships remain stuck, with an estimated 20,000 sailors unable to leave the Gulf. Supplies are dwindling, and concerns are mounting over both physical and mental health conditions onboard.

Trump said "countries from all over the world" had urged the US to act, describing the stranded vessels as "merely neutral and innocent bystanders".

He added the operation would be conducted on behalf of the US, Iran, and other Middle Eastern nations, though he did not specify which countries or how the mission would unfold.

Diplomacy Moves Forward Under a Cloud of Uncertainty

Despite the military buildup, Trump signaled cautious optimism.

He said US representatives are holding "very positive" talks with Iran that "could lead to something very positive for all".

At the same time, signals from Tehran remain mixed.

Iranian state linked media reported that the country has received a US response to its latest peace proposal, delivered via Pakistan, and is currently reviewing it.

However, Washington has not formally confirmed any reply.

Flashpoints Multiply Across the Region

New incidents are adding urgency.

The United Kingdom Maritime Transportation Operation reported that a tanker in the strait was struck by an "unknown projectile", though its crew remained safe.

Meanwhile, Pakistan announced that 22 crew members from the الإيراني container ship Touska, seized by the US last month, will be returned to Iranian authorities in what it called "a confidence-building measure by the United States of America".

Peace Plan Divides the Two Sides

Details of Iran’s proposed path to peace reveal major gaps.

Tehran’s 14 point plan reportedly demands that the US withdraw forces from near its borders, end the naval blockade, and halt all hostilities, including Israel’s offensive in Lebanon. It also calls for a full agreement within 30 days.

Iranian officials stressed the focus should be on "ending the war" rather than extending temporary ceasefires.

But key sticking points remain unresolved.

Foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said "at this stage, we do not have nuclear negotiations", a core demand from Washington.

Iran continues to insist its nuclear program is peaceful, even as it remains the only non nuclear armed state enriching uranium at near weapons grade levels.

Trump Signals Tough Stance and Possible Escalation

Trump has already cast doubt on Tehran’s proposal.

He said he "can't imagine that it would be acceptable", arguing Iran has not "paid a big enough price for what they have done to humanity, and the world, over the last 47 years".

And while he acknowledged ongoing talks, he did not rule out further military action.

Asked whether strikes inside Iran could resume, Trump replied it was "a possibility".

"If they misbehave. If they do something bad," he said. "But right now we'll see."

He also made clear the US is not stepping back from the conflict.

"We're not leaving", Trump said, adding that continued involvement is necessary so "nobody has to go back in two years or five years".

A Narrow Path Between Relief and Escalation

As warships prepare to move and diplomats continue negotiations, the situation in the Strait of Hormuz stands at a dangerous crossroads.

A mission framed as humanitarian could quickly become a flashpoint for renewed conflict, with global energy markets, thousands of lives, and regional stability hanging in the balance.