SEOUL, May 04 (AJP) - The United States President Donald Trump has announced "Project Freedom," a mission to guide neutral commercial vessels out of the Strait of Hormuz, offering a potential breakthrough for nearly 200 South Korean crew members currently stranded in the waterway.
The operation, scheduled to begin Monday morning Middle East time, targets the release of ships that have no involvement in ongoing regional hostilities. For South Korea, the move addresses a critical energy bottleneck, as the Strait facilitates the passage of 70 percent of the country's crude oil imports.
Writing on his Truth Social platform, Trump stated that neutral countries requested US assistance to free ships "locked up" in the restricted passage. He described the vessels and their crews as "neutral and innocent bystanders" caught in a violent dispute.
"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," Trump wrote.
The US leader described the plan as a "Humanitarian gesture" to support crews running low on food and essential supplies. He added a stern warning that any interference with the mission would "have to be dealt with forcefully."
Records from April 15 indicate that 26 South Korean ships remain in the area. The blockade has pressured the South Korean economy, where March inflation reached 2.2 percent, and strategic petroleum reserves have fallen to approximately 26 days of consumption, according to data from industry analysts in Seoul.
The South Korean government has not released an official statement regarding the US announcement. There is no current indication of South Korean military involvement or direct coordination with the US mission.
Trump indicated that US representatives are engaged in discussions with Iranian officials that could lead to "something very positive for all." He maintained that the ship movement is strictly intended to free companies and countries caught in a "dispute going on so visibly, and violently."
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