Sources: 
President Donald Trump's new initiative, dubbed
"Project Freedom," aims to alleviate the crisis affecting
approximately 20,000 sailors trapped in the Gulf due to the ongoing conflict with Iran. Starting Monday, the U.S. military will mobilize significant resources, including
15,000 personnel, guided-missile destroyers, and over
100 land and sea-based aircraft to ensure the safe passage of civilian vessels through the strategically vital
Strait of Hormuz, which typically sees
about 20% of the world's energy supplies passing through it.
Trump stated that the aim of Project Freedom is to facilitate the operations of cargo ships flagged by countries not involved in the conflict, asserting that any interference with the U.S. efforts will
"have to be dealt with forcefully." The humanitarian nature of this operation has been emphasized, although Trump did not specify which Middle Eastern nations would be involved alongside the U.S.
As oil prices continue to surge amidst the blockade and conflicts in the region, the closure of this critical waterway has led to a drastic slowdown in maritime traffic, raising concerns over potential economic fallout for global energy markets.
"The conflict has sent global energy prices soaring," raising alarms among international stakeholders regarding stability in oil supply.
Sources: President Trump plans to launch "Project Freedom" on Monday to guide and free stranded ships in the Strait of Hormuz amid escalating tensions in the region. The U.S. will deploy 15,000 personnel and military assets to ensure safe passage through this key energy channel that has seen oil prices surge.
