Trump announces “Project Freedom” operation in Iran, bypassing the 1973 War Powers Resolution

U.S. President Donald Trump has announced that, starting Monday morning, the U.S. Navy will begin escorting neutral foreign ships out of the Strait of Hormuz. The initiative, dubbed “Project Freedom,” was presented by the tycoon as a “humanitarian gesture” toward countries not involved in the conflict that find themselves trapped in the crucial maritime passage.

According to Trump’s statements, numerous nations had already requested assistance from the United States, with vessels stuck in the strait running low on food and supplies, putting the safety of their crews at risk. “The movement of the ships is simply aimed at freeing people, companies, and countries that have done absolutely nothing wrong. They are victims of circumstance,” the president declared.

Trump specified that the U.S. will do “their best” to guide the vessels out of the restricted zone and that they will not return until the area is considered safe for navigation. He further warned that any interference with the humanitarian operation “must be met with force.”

This latest mission launched by Trump is seen as a stretch, a practical attempt to find a way to bypass the so-called War Powers Resolution of 1973 and continue the war in Iran without constraints.

Parallel diplomacy with Tehran

On the diplomatic front, Trump revealed that his representatives are conducting “very positive” talks with Iran. Tehran, for now, has not released official statements regarding the announcement.

Meanwhile, the president confirmed to the Israeli broadcaster Kan News that he had reviewed the Iranian proposal to end the conflict, judging it unacceptable. “It’s not good for me,” he stated bluntly, echoing remarks from the previous day when he argued that Tehran had not yet paid “a high enough price” for its actions over the last 47 years.

Pakistani mediation and the negotiation stalemate

According to reports from the semi-official Iranian agency Tasnim, Tehran transmitted a 14-point response to an American proposal on Saturday, using Pakistan as an intermediary. On Sunday, Iran confirmed it had received a U.S. counter-proposal and was currently evaluating it. The website Axios reports that the U.S. has meanwhile presented a new, revised draft agreement.

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