Trump said US would assist ships through Strait of Hormuz, but Iran’s threat afterward just nullified the plan

The Iranian military has issued a direct challenge to the United States following the announcement of a new naval initiative in the Strait of Hormuz, The Hill reported. This development comes after the president declared that American forces would begin escorting commercial vessels through the waterway to mitigate the impact of ongoing regional tensions on the global oil industry.

A military source speaking to the Tasnim News Agency, which is associated with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, stated that the country would not tolerate the presence of American combat forces in the region. According to a post on X, which was translated from Persian by Grok, the source claimed that Iran’s armed forces would not permit passage to American combat forces. The statement further asserted that any transit through the Strait of Hormuz would not be allowed without explicit authorization from the Iranian military.

The U.S. initiative, which the president dubbed Project Freedom, was announced on Sunday. In a post on Truth Social, the president explained that the decision to intervene followed requests from various nations seeking assistance for their vessels trapped in the waterway. The president stated, “Countries from all over the World, almost all of which are not involved in the Middle Eastern dispute going on so visibly, and violently, for all to see, have asked the United States if we could help free up their Ships, which are locked up in the Strait of Hormuz, on something which they have absolutely nothing to do with — They are merely neutral and innocent bystanders!”

The success of Project Freedom will likely be a key factor in how the administration manages both the regional security situation and the domestic economic fallout

He continued by emphasizing the intended goal of the operation, noting, “For the good of Iran, the Middle East, and the United States, we have told these Countries that we will guide their Ships safely out of these restricted Waterways, so that they can freely and ably get on with their business.”

The effort was scheduled to commence on Monday morning, Middle East time. This move is clearly aimed at stabilizing the flow of oil, which has been significantly disrupted by the ongoing conflict. The economic stakes are high, as the average price of a gallon of gas in the U.S. has climbed to approximately $4.46, a notable increase from the $3.17 average recorded last year.

Support for the operation has been vocal among current and former officials. Former Vice President Pence expressed his approval on X, writing, “Strong Move Mr. President. God Bless All Our Troops Engaged in Project Freedom.”

Similarly, U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Mike Waltz highlighted the broader implications of the situation. He stated, “there will be future conflicts and whether it’s the Straits of Malacca or Gibraltar or Hormuz, the world cannot allow the precedent to stand that one side can try to punish the world’s economies in an attempt to gain leverage with the other side.” Waltz added that the United States and its Gulf partners would lead the effort to defend global freedom of navigation.

Acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao also took to X to signal the readiness of the military branches under his purview. In response to the president, Cao wrote, “your @USNavy and @USMC are ready,” adding, “Any ocean. Any time.” These statements underscore the military’s preparedness to carry out the mission, despite the explicit warnings coming from Iranian officials.

The operational reality on the ground appears to be moving forward regardless of the rhetoric from Tehran. U.S. Central Command reported on Monday that two U.S.-flagged merchant vessels had successfully completed their transit through the Strait of Hormuz.

Furthermore, Centcom noted that U.S. Navy guided-missile destroyers are currently operating in the Arabian Gulf after transiting the strait in support of Project Freedom. Centcom also took the opportunity to address and dismiss reports circulating in Iranian state media that a U.S. warship had been struck by missiles. In a post on X, Centcom clarified, “TRUTH: No U.S. Navy ships have been struck. U.S. forces are supporting Project Freedom and enforcing the naval blockade on Iranian ports.”

The broader economic context remains a concern for the administration. As the conflict enters its second month, the potential for energy shocks is being closely monitored. White House National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett acknowledged that these shocks would likely impact airline profits for at least a quarter, though he noted that the industry remains fundamentally healthy.

This economic pressure is happening alongside declining public sentiment, with recent polls indicating that 62 percent of Americans disapprove of the president’s performance as the conflict continues.