The so-called “Project Freedom” oversaw the transit of two commercial vessels out of the Strait on Monday, though it coincided with fresh attacks between the warring countries amid a tenuous cease-fire. The U.S.-Iran cease-fire was set to last for two weeks beginning April 8, but it was extended indefinitely on April 21. Iran had previously said that U.S. interference in the Strait would be considered a cease-fire violation.
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Trump’s announcement comes after a suspected Iranian attack damaged a South Korean cargo ship and the U.S. military said it sank seven Iranian patrol boats. The United Arab Emirates and Oman also reported alleged Iranian strikes on their territory on Monday, and the U.A.E. said it intercepted more attacks on Tuesday. Iranian state media rejected U.S. claims that it had destroyed Iranian boats and aided two ships in crossing the Strait. Instead, Iran accused the U.S. of attacking passenger vessels and killing five civilians in the Strait. Iran said its forces had fired “warning shots” at U.S. vessels in the Strait. Iran did not publicly confirm that it had attacked the South Korean ship or Oman. Iran also denied attacking the U.A.E. but warned that if the U.A.E. takes “any action against Iranian islands and ports based on its false statements, it will face a severe and crushing response from the Iranian Armed Forces.”
Trump ‘wants a deal’
Earlier on Tuesday, Trump refused to say what Iranian actions would be considered a cease-fire violation. They “know what to do,” he said, “and they know what not to do, more importantly.” On Monday, Trump reportedly said Iran would be “blown off the face of the Earth” if it attacked U.S. ships, echoing his earlier threats to wipe out a “whole civilization” if Iran did not open the Strait.
“Project Freedom” reportedly replaced an earlier, more aggressive plan to reopen the Strait. Officials told Axios that Trump had considered a plan to send naval vessels to forcefully open the Strait and resume the war with full force if Iran retaliated against Gulf countries, as it appears to have done. But at the last minute Trump opted for what officials described as a defensive “humanitarian” mission to “guide” commercial vessels by stationing U.S. Navy ships “in the vicinity,” rather than directly escorting vessels through the Strait.
The U.S. and Iran have been engaged in indirect negotiations since a first round of marathon talks failed and a second in-person meeting stalled. Several sticking points remain, including the U.S. demand that Iran abandon its nuclear program and Iran’s insistence on maintaining control over the Strait. Iran previously cited Israel’s continued attacks on Lebanon as one reason for keeping the Strait closed.
“There are talks. There are offers. We don’t like theirs. They don’t like ours. We still don’t know the status of the [Supreme Leader]. And they’re carrying messages by hand to caves or wherever he or whoever is hiding. It slows the process down,” an official said. “It’s either we’re looking at the real contours of an achievable deal soon, or he’s going to bomb the hell out of them.”
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