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The warning follows President Donald Trump’s announcement Sunday on “Project Freedom,” a new initiative aimed at escorting neutral commercial vessels out of the Strait of Hormuz.
By United with Israel Staff
Iran issued a sharp warning Monday in response to a new U.S. maritime initiative, cautioning that any foreign military presence in the Strait of Hormuz would face a “very harsh response.”
The threat came from Maj. Gen. Ali Abdollahi, commander of Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, who declared that “any entry of foreign armed forces, especially the U.S. military, into the Strait of Hormuz will be met with a very harsh response.”
He added: “We maintain and powerfully manage the security of the Strait of Hormuz with full strength and announce to all commercial ships and oil tankers to refrain from any transit without coordination with the armed forces stationed in the Strait of Hormuz so that their security is not endangered.”
The warning follows President Donald Trump’s announcement Sunday on “Project Freedom,” a new initiative aimed at escorting neutral commercial vessels out of the Strait amid ongoing regional tensions.
Trump framed the effort as a humanitarian mission to assist ships stranded by the conflict, while warning that “if, in any way, this Humanitarian process is interfered with, that interference will, unfortunately, have to be dealt with forcefully.”
In a lengthy post, Trump said multiple countries had asked Washington for help freeing vessels “locked up in the Strait of Hormuz,” describing them as “neutral and innocent bystanders.”
He said the U.S. would “guide their Ships safely out of these restricted Waterways,” emphasizing that many were running low on essential supplies.
“This is a Humanitarian gesture on behalf of the United States… particularly the Country of Iran,” he wrote, adding that discussions with Tehran were “very positive” and could lead to broader progress.
The U.S. Central Command confirmed Monday that it will begin supporting Project Freedom on May 4, outlining a large-scale military operation to restore freedom of navigation through one of the world’s most critical maritime chokepoints.
According to CENTCOM, the mission will involve guided-missile destroyers, more than 100 aircraft, unmanned platforms, and approximately 15,000 service members.
“Our support for this defensive mission is essential to regional security and the global economy,” CENTCOM commander Adm. Brad Cooper said, noting that roughly a quarter of the world’s seaborne oil trade passes through the strait.
The operation is also tied to a broader U.S.-led effort known as the Maritime Freedom Construct, which aims to coordinate diplomatic and military resources among international partners to secure shipping lanes in the region.
With both sides issuing warnings and showing little flexibility, the next moves in the Strait will likely determine whether Project Freedom proceeds smoothly or becomes the opening stage of renewed conflict between Washington and Tehran.
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