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Project Freedom Begins
The United States began an effort to “guide” stranded ships out of the Strait of Hormuz as it tries to counter economic disruptions tied to the war with Iran, with a U.S.-led task force saying it has started the operation. CBS News reported that President Trump announced the U.S. would “guide” ships not involved in the war out of the strait, and that the Joint Maritime Information Center set up an “enhanced security area” south of typical shipping routes. The CBS account said the strait sits between Iranian and Omani territory, and it urged mariners to coordinate closely with Omani authorities “due to anticipated high traffic volume.” It also warned that passing close to the usual routes “should be considered extremely hazardous due the presence of mines that have not been fully surveyed and mitigated.”
“President Trump announced the U.S. would "guide" ships not involved in the war with Iran out of the Strait of Hormuz.”
Iran Threatens Attack
Iran’s military said U.S. forces would be attacked if they entered the Strait of Hormuz after President Trump announced Washington would begin escorting ships through the blocked waterway. Major General Ali Abdolla.hi of the Iranian military’s central command warned, “We warn that any foreign armed force -- especially the aggressive U.S. military -- if they intend to approach or enter the Strait of Hormuz, will be targeted and attacked,” in a statement carried by state broadcaster IRIB. CBS News also reported that Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said the United States faced a choice between an “impossible” military operation or a deal with Tehran, after Trump disparaged Iran’s latest peace proposal. In parallel, IRNA quoted University of Chicago political science professor John Mearsheimer saying Israelis and the Israeli lobby in the United States are basically “owners” of Trump and that he would not lead the United States into an endless war with Iran.
Negotiations and Stakes
The CBS News report said Iran’s latest proposal to the United States calls for issues between the countries to be resolved within 30 days and aims to end the war rather than extend the ceasefire, according to Iran’s state-linked media. CBS News added that Trump told congressional leaders that addressing an “under a decades-old law” meant to limit the use of military force without authorization from Congress, and it quoted Trump saying negotiations with Iran were going “very well.” The stakes described in the sources included the Strait of Hormuz disruption, which CBS News said has become one of the most enduring consequences of the war that the U.S. and Israel launched Feb. 28 and has squeezed countries in Europe and Asia that depend on Persian Gulf supplies. In a separate account, EkoIran said Iran’s missile capabilities are “in no way a subject of negotiation,” and it reported Araghchi warning that any violation of the country’s territory will be met with a decisive and serious response.
“Iran's latest proposal to the United States calls for issues between the countries to be resolved within 30 days”
