[Trump Activates ‘Project Freedom’… A Direct Breakthrough Against the Hormuz Blockade]

U.S. President Donald Trump launched "Project Freedom" on May 4 (local time; May 5, KST), a military operation to extract international vessels that have been isolated for over two months due to Iran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. This move marks a direct confrontation against Iran’s strategy of using energy disruption as a weapon. This operation involves the full mobilization of 15,000 U.S. troops, guided-missile destroyers, and more than 100 land- and sea-based aircraft and drones.

The British newspaper The Telegraph reported on the 4th, “U.S. President Donald Trump announced that the U.S. military will begin guiding the passage of ships in the Strait of Hormuz starting the morning of the 4th local time (5th KST),” adding, “President Trump warned that Iran would face a powerful response if it interferes with what he described as a ‘humanitarian measure,’ suggesting the possibility of a renewed U.S. attack.”

Through the social media platform Truth Social, President Trump stated, “For the interests of Iran, the Middle East, and the United States, we have decided to safely guide the ships of isolated nations.” While defining the move as a “humanitarian gesture,” he issued a high-intensity warning, saying, “If Iran involves itself or interferes in this process even in the slightest, they will unfortunately have to endure a powerful physical response.”

Currently, the Strait of Hormuz is a strategic chokepoint through which 20% of the world's oil trade passes, but due to Iranian control, hundreds of ships have been stranded for the past two months. In particular, isolated sailors are reportedly facing serious threats to hygiene and health due to shortages of food and daily necessities.

The physical scale of the operation is significant. U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) stated, “We are deploying 15,000 troops for this operation, including guided-missile destroyers, over 100 ground- and sea-based aircraft, drones, and surface combatants.” CENTCOM Commander Brad Cooper emphasized in a statement, “This operation is an essential defensive mission to protect regional security and the global economy while maintaining the maritime blockade.”

Meanwhile, tensions in the region have reached a peak, with projectile attacks targeting ships occurring near the Strait of Hormuz just before the operation’s announcement. The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow waterway with a minimum width of 29 nautical miles (approx. 54 km) located between the territorial waters of Iran and Oman. The Joint Maritime Information Center (JMIC) warned, “The situation is extremely dangerous as sea mines that have not yet been fully surveyed or cleared exist near the existing shipping routes.”

However, Iran stood firm. Major General Ali Abdollahi, an army officer and former pilot, warned through state media that day, “Any foreign forces, especially the aggressive U.S. military, attempting to approach or enter the Strait of Hormuz will be targets for attack.” Additionally, Ebrahim Azizi, chairman of the Iranian Parliament's National Security Committee, stated on social media, “U.S. intervention in the strait will be regarded as a violation of the ceasefire.”

[“Humanitarian Measure” vs. “Strategic Pressure”… Trump’s Dual Message]

President Trump defined this operation as a “humanitarian gesture.” He mentioned that “sailors who have been isolated in the strait for months are in a situation where it is difficult to maintain a healthy and hygienic life due to a lack of drinking water and food.” Regarding these ships, which are unrelated to the conflict, President Trump described them as “victims of the situation.”

However, President Trump did not forget his stern warning. His statement that “if this humanitarian process is hindered in any form, we will have no choice but to respond strongly” is analyzed as effectively implying the possibility of renewed airstrikes targeting Iran. In fact, the online news outlet Axios reported that “the Pentagon has been preparing ‘short and powerful’ strike options to break Iran’s grip on the strait.”

[Tightening the Noose on the Iranian Economy via Maritime Blockade… Negotiation Deadlock Continues]

This operation carries a dual nature as it is carried out in parallel with the maritime blockade against Iran that has been in effect since April 13. The U.S. is employing a strategy to neutralize Iran's negotiation cards by maintaining a maritime blockade that cuts off Iranian crude oil exports while selectively extracting only third-country vessels.

The negotiation front is complexly intertwined. Iran delivered a 14-point proposal to end the war—including the lifting of sanctions, withdrawal of the maritime blockade, withdrawal of U.S. forces stationed in the Middle East, and the cessation of Israeli military operations in Lebanon—but President Trump made it clear that these terms are difficult to accept. Direct negotiations between the two sides have not yet begun, and the Iranian Foreign Ministry stated it received the U.S. response through Pakistan and is currently reviewing it. The Iranian side emphasized that nuclear issues were not included in this negotiation proposal.

[The Real Risk of Project Freedom: Resumption of All-Out War if Iran Provokes?]

In a situation where the U.S.-Iran ceasefire has been barely maintained for three weeks, this operation has become a new variable. Depending on whether Iran tolerates the large-scale entry of U.S. warships and aircraft into the strait or opts for a military response, the situation could shift in an instant. The fact that Iran's military leadership issued a full-scale warning on the day the operation commenced shows that this concern is a reality.

Within the U.S., there are views that this operation places more weight on pressure than on negotiation. President Trump earlier this week declared “No more Mr. Nice Guy” and ordered the extension of the maritime blockade against Iran. NBC News reported, “Analysis suggests that ‘Project Freedom’ is the concrete execution of the ‘Maritime Freedom Construct,’ which the U.S. began promoting two days ago by rallying allies for safe navigation.”

Since the blockade began, hundreds of ships and over 20,000 sailors have been stranded in the strait for more than two months. Whether these ships will be liberated or if this operation will become the spark for a new conflict will be the most critical watershed in the coming days.

[Trump’s Ultra-Hardline Measure to End Iran’s ‘Hostage-Taking’ of Energy Hegemony]

“Project Freedom,” proclaimed by President Donald Trump, goes beyond a simple ship rescue operation and demonstrates the firm resolve of the United States to put an end to Iran’s “energy hostage-taking.” Iran has long weaponized the Strait of Hormuz by exploiting its geographical advantage, threatening the global economy and shaking international oil prices. Trump’s decision can be evaluated as a resolute determination and a practical exercise of power diplomacy, signaling that the U.S. will no longer be dragged along by these despicable Iranian tactics.

The deployment of a large-scale force of 15,000 personnel and carrier-grade assets is a powerful signal to Iran not to “miscalculate.” Iran has pressured the Western world by tightening its grip on the strait amidst the chaos of the U.S.-Iran conflict. However, the Trump administration is narrowing Iran’s standing by simultaneously securing the justification of “humanitarianism” and the utility of “strong military power.” This is the appearance of a leader of the liberal democratic camp trying to uphold the principle of freedom of navigation against the forces of evil.

Notably, it should be recognized that this operation is an “offensive defense” that neutralizes Iran’s blockade attempts. While Iran claims the U.S. maritime blockade is a violation of the ceasefire, it was Iran itself that blocked and threatened the passage of civilian vessels in international waters. President Trump’s remark, “No more Mr. Nice Guy,” as he ordered the extension of the blockade, is a high-level pressure strategy intended to suffocate Iran and force it to its knees.

From an economic perspective, this measure is timely. The rise in energy prices caused by Iran’s blockade of the strait has stimulated global inflation and adversely affected public opinion within the United States. Trump is attempting to normalize the flow of logistics by mobilizing military means to overcome this. This can be seen as a realistic act of governance aimed at achieving both “America First” and the stability of the market economy.

From a reality-awakening perspective, Iran’s divided leadership will find it difficult to properly respond to these hardline U.S. policies. With the command system shaken by precision strikes from the U.S. and Israel, the large-scale deployment of U.S. forces will inevitably further narrow the position of hardliners within Iran. As President Trump mentioned, the judgment that “a blockade is more effective than bombing” is a clever choice to completely isolate Iran from the international community.

While some worry that this operation could escalate into an all-out war with Iran, peace can only be maintained through overwhelming force, not by begging. If Iran dares to commit a physical provocation against “Project Freedom,” it will serve as a catalyst to accelerate the end of the Iranian regime. Trump has already left the possibility of additional strikes open, stating, “If they misbehave, the possibilities are open.”

Ultimately, the essence of this situation is a righteous confrontation between Iran, a rogue state that ignores international order and engages in acts of piracy, and the United States, which seeks to correct it. President Trump flatly rejected Iran’s proposal and poured out scathing criticism, saying, “They are suffocating.” This confirms that the initiative in negotiations lies entirely with the United States.

U.S. allies must also actively participate in this “Maritime Freedom Construct” alliance. This is because the Iranian threat is not a problem for a specific country but a challenge to global free trade. Only when Trump’s “Project Freedom” is successfully completed will the stability of the Middle East and the recovery of the global economy finally become possible.

Finally, Iran must take Trump’s warning to heart. The blade of the United States, held under the pretext of humanitarian measures, is sharper than ever. Iran must keep in mind that even one wrong step from here will lead not to peace negotiations, but to a devastating blow.