The United States is preparing to begin guiding stranded commercial vessels out of the Persian Gulf, as Washington attempts to ease mounting pressure on global shipping caused by the ongoing closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

President Donald Trump announced that the initiative—set to begin Monday—will focus on assisting neutral ships trapped in the region. Framing the move as a humanitarian effort, Trump said the operation is intended to support crews, companies, and nations caught in the crossfire despite having no direct involvement in the conflict.

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He warned, however, that any interference with the effort would be met with force, underscoring the fragile and highly volatile security environment in and around the strait.

Details of the operation remain limited, but US Central Command confirmed it will provide military support aimed at restoring commercial navigation. Assets expected to be deployed include guided-missile destroyers, aircraft, and drones, signaling a significant escalation in US involvement in securing maritime traffic.

Despite the military backing, the initiative is not expected to involve traditional naval escorts at this stage. Instead, it will rely on coordinated efforts between governments, insurers, and shipping organizations to facilitate safe passage for vessels awaiting clearance.

Admiral Brad Cooper, head of US Central Command, described the mission as critical to both regional stability and the global economy, noting that it will operate alongside the existing US naval blockade of Iran.

The announcement comes amid tentative diplomatic signals. Trump indicated that ongoing discussions with Iran have been “very positive,” though he stopped short of providing specifics. At the same time, he suggested that Tehran’s latest peace proposal may fall short of US expectations, highlighting the continued uncertainty surrounding negotiations.

Iran, for its part, confirmed it is reviewing Washington’s response to its recent 14-point proposal, according to state media.

Trump said the ships targeted under the initiative—dubbed “Project Freedom”—are facing deteriorating conditions, with crews running low on food and essential supplies as they await safe transit. Several countries have reportedly requested US assistance in securing the release of their vessels.

However, many operators remain cautious. According to Trump, shipowners have indicated they will not resume normal operations in the region until navigation can be guaranteed as safe and stable.

The scale of the disruption remains severe. Hundreds of tankers, bulk carriers, and container ships are still stranded in the Gulf, while oil-producing nations have curtailed output due to limited storage capacity and blocked export routes.

The closure of the Strait of Hormuz—a critical chokepoint through which roughly 20% of global oil and liquefied natural gas flows—has sent energy prices sharply higher, amplifying economic concerns worldwide.

The situation has also intensified political pressure in the United States, where rising fuel costs are emerging as a key issue ahead of upcoming midterm elections.

At the center of the crisis remains a strategic standoff. Following Iran’s effective closure of the strait, the US imposed a naval blockade targeting Iranian ports in an effort to restrict oil exports and apply economic pressure.

With both sides holding firm, the launch of the US ship guidance initiative marks a new phase in the conflict—one that could either ease the immediate humanitarian and logistical strain or further escalate tensions in one of the world’s most critical maritime corridors.