AS akan mulai kawal kapal yang tertahan di Selat Hormuz, Trump sebut sebagai proyek kebebasan

News Summary:

• Trump states “neutral and innocent” countries have been affected by the Iran war.
• The US is set to begin “guiding” ships stranded in the Iran-controlled Strait of Hormuz.
• This extensive US effort could potentially assist hundreds of vessels and approximately 20,000 sailors.

The United States is poised to launch a significant initiative to “guide” vessels currently trapped within the Iran-controlled Strait of Hormuz, commencing early Monday, May 4, 2026, local time. This critical operation, dubbed “Project Freedom” by President Donald Trump, aims to navigate hundreds of ships and an estimated 20,000 sailors through the volatile waterway, though specific details about the massive undertaking remain scarce.

President Trump announced this ambitious move hours after Iran confirmed it was reviewing the U.S. response to its latest peace proposal, explicitly stating that these were not nuclear negotiations. The announcement comes amidst a fragile three-week ceasefire that has, so far, held firm, offering a glimmer of hope in the ongoing conflict between Iran and the US.

On Sunday, May 3, 2026, President Trump conveyed via social media that “neutral and innocent” countries have suffered consequences due to the Iran war. He stated, “We have informed these nations that we will safely guide their ships out of these prohibited waterways, enabling them to freely and capably resume their business.” He further added, “Project Freedom will commence Monday morning in the Middle East,” underlining the urgency and strategic importance of the operation. Trump also indicated that his representatives are currently engaged in discussions with Iran, which he believes could yield “very positive” outcomes for all parties involved.

The effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz by Iran, a measure imposed after the U.S. and Israel initiated hostilities on February 28, 2026, has sent tremors through global markets, according to AP News. Since the war’s outset, numerous ships, including critical oil and gas tankers and cargo vessels, along with their crews, have been stranded in the Persian Gulf. Crews have recounted harrowing experiences to the Associated Press, detailing intercepted drones, missiles exploding overhead, and severe shortages of drinking water, food, and other vital supplies. Many of these marooned sailors hail from India and other nations across South and Southeast Asia, adding a significant humanitarian dimension to the geopolitical crisis.

Meanwhile, Trump’s announcement was quickly disseminated by several Iranian media outlets, which characterized his declaration as merely a “claim.” This skepticism underscores the deep mistrust prevailing between the two nations, even as diplomatic channels are tentatively explored.

Iran Receives US Response

Earlier on Sunday, Iran announced it had received the U.S. response to its most recent peace proposal. This statement followed a day after President Trump had suggested he might reject Iran‘s offer, asserting that “they haven’t paid a high enough price.” Iranian state media reported that Washington’s reply to Iran‘s 14-point proposal was delivered via Pakistan, and Tehran is currently scrutinizing its contents. There has been no immediate confirmation from Washington or Islamabad regarding the U.S. response, maintaining a veil of diplomatic secrecy.

“At this stage, we are not conducting nuclear negotiations,” Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei was quoted as saying by state media. This statement seemingly references Iran‘s proposal to defer discussions on nuclear issues until after the war concludes and both sides agree to lift their reciprocal blockades on shipping in the Gulf, highlighting a clear distinction in priorities.

Efforts to End the War

The U.S. and Israel halted their bombing campaign against Iran four weeks prior, following which U.S. and Iranian officials held an initial round of talks. However, subsequent efforts to arrange further meetings have, thus far, proven unsuccessful, indicating the persistent challenges in de-escalation. Iran submitted its latest proposal on Thursday, April 30, 2026. A senior Iranian official confirmed on Saturday that Tehran envisions first ending the war and resolving the shipping impasse before engaging in talks about Iran‘s nuclear program.

While President Trump initially expressed dissatisfaction with Iran‘s proposal on Friday, his stance shifted by Saturday, stating he was still considering it. “They tell me about the concept of the deal. They’re going to tell me the exact wording now,” Trump told reporters, as quoted by Al Arabiya. When pressed on the possibility of restarting attacks against Iran, Trump replied, “I don’t want to say that. I mean, I can’t say that to a reporter. If they misbehave, if they do something bad, now we will see. But that is a possibility that could happen.” His cautious yet firm remarks underscore the delicate balance of ongoing diplomatic efforts against the backdrop of potential renewed aggression.

Adding to the regional tensions, the UK Maritime Trade Operations reported that a cargo ship near the Strait of Hormuz was attacked by several small vessels earlier on Sunday. This incident marks the latest in at least two dozen reported attacks in and around the strait since the Iran war began, serving as a stark reminder of the inherent risks surrounding the new U.S. initiative. Fortunately, the entire crew of the unidentified northbound cargo ship survived the assault off the coast of Sirik, Iran, east of the strait, according to the British monitoring agency.

Iranian officials maintain that they control the strait and that vessels not affiliated with the United States or Israel are permitted passage upon payment of duties. This stance directly challenges the principle of freedom of navigation, which is guaranteed by international law. Contrary to reports by semi-official Iranian media such as Fars and Tabnak, Iran denied any attacks, claiming instead that a passing vessel was merely stopped for document inspection as part of routine monitoring. This was the first reported incident in the area since April 22, 2026. Despite these denials, Tehran has effectively closed the strait through a combination of attacks and threats against ships, ensuring that the threat level in the critical maritime choke point remains alarmingly high.

(Tribunnews.com/Nuryanti)