Trump Signals Expansion of “Project Freedom” if Iran Rejects Deal
President Donald Trump indicated on Friday that the U.S. might reinvigorate and expand “Project Freedom” in the Strait of Hormuz should Iran decline to accept a new agreement currently being negotiated. This statement comes as the U.S. anticipates a response from Tehran amidst escalating naval confrontations and Iranian threats.
Speaking to reporters outside the White House before heading to his golf club in Sterling, Virginia, Trump mentioned that his administration was still waiting for Iran’s formal reply regarding a draft memorandum intended to set the stage for broader discussions about Iran’s nuclear activities, potential sanctions relief, and the reopening of shipping routes in the Strait of Hormuz.
“The letter will probably arrive tonight, so we’ll see what happens,” he remarked.
When asked if he believed Iran was intentionally delaying the negotiations, Trump responded with, “We’ll find out soon enough.”
He also warned that failure to reach an agreement could lead to a renewed and expanded Project Freedom, which was initially launched this week to assist commercial vessels navigating the Strait before being temporarily halted due to the ongoing discussions.
“Unless everything is agreed upon and the button is closed, we will go our separate ways,” Trump elaborated.
“I think Project Freedom is good, but I think there are other ways,” he continued. He hinted that if negotiations fell through, a revamped Project Freedom, possibly including additional measures, could be on the table.
While he didn’t specify what those extra measures might be, Trump has frequently cautioned that military actions could dramatically escalate if Iran refuses to accept the deal.
The remarks came in light of renewed tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, despite a shaky ceasefire established last month.
The U.S. Central Command disclosed on Friday that U.S. forces had disabled two Iranian-flagged tankers after they entered Iranian waters, suspected of trying to breach the ongoing U.S. naval blockade.
Reportedly, a U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet was launched, and a precision strike rendered one vessel inoperable before it could dock in Iran.
Additionally, CENTCOM stated they intercepted another Iranian tanker this week for attempting to breach the blockade.
“All three vessels have suspended transit to Iran,” CENTCOM confirmed.
Adm. Brad Cooper, commander of U.S. Central Command, reiterated the military’s commitment to enforcing the blockade on ships entering and exiting Iran.
The escalation of conflicts paralleled a recent Iranian assault on three U.S. Navy destroyers in the Strait, which prompted retaliatory actions by the U.S. against Iranian military targets.
Trump later recounted the encounter on social media, stating that the Iranian attackers were effectively “totally destroyed” during the incident.
There were no damages reported to the U.S. ships, while the Iranian forces are said to have sustained heavy losses. Trump even described how the attackers “quickly sank” after launching their assault.
Despite insisting on a commitment to the ceasefire, Trump characterized the U.S. response as a mere “love tap.” Yet he insisted that military operations would intensify if Iran continues to reject the deal.
Earlier this week, Trump warned, “If they don’t agree, the bombing will start and sadly it will be at a much higher level and intensity than before.”
He emphasized that Iran must completely renounce its nuclear ambitions and transfer highly enriched uranium stockpiles—what he refers to as “nuclear dust”—to the U.S. “We’re not going to give them the right to have nuclear weapons,” Trump asserted.
The proposed framework agreement, described in media reports as a single-page document, aims to pave the way for extended negotiations covering Iran’s nuclear program, sanctions relief, and ensuring maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump announced the suspension of Project Freedom at the request of Pakistan and other nations but reiterated that the U.S. naval blockade would remain strictly enforced.
This operation was initiated after requests from countries seeking assistance for commercial ships navigating the strategic waterway amidst rising threats and attacks from Iran.
U.S. Central Command has deployed naval resources and thousands of military personnel to support commercial shipping in the region while maintaining pressure on Iranian maritime activities.
In the meantime, Iranian officials have been openly mocking the U.S. while they procrastinate their formal response to the proposal. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi accused the U.S. of undermining diplomatic efforts through aggressive military maneuvers.
He emphasized that Iranians will not yield to external pressures, asserting that any attempt at a diplomatic resolution is often met with military adventurism from the U.S.
In a separate commentary, Esmail Baghai from the Iranian Foreign Ministry ridiculed Trump’s warnings about potential consequences should the ceasefire break down.
He referred to the U.S. stance as “grotesque absurdity” as they contradict their claims of seeking peace while threatening military action.
Iranian officials have also ramped up their rhetoric regarding control over the Strait of Hormuz, with an adviser to Iran’s supreme leader comparing it to possessing an “atomic bomb” and asserting that Tehran will hold onto its strategic gains.
The rising tensions highlight the fragile nature of the ceasefire as Washington awaits Tehran’s response to the new proposal.
