Day 66 | Trump says US will start escorting ships through Strait of Hormuz
US President Donald Trump announced that the United States will begin escorting ships through the Strait of Hormuz starting Monday, describing the move as a “humanitarian gesture” aimed at securing maritime passage. Additional details on how the operation will be carried out have not yet been released.
Meanwhile, the ongoing conflict continues to strain global oil supplies, with the Strait of Hormuz effectively closed and energy markets under pressure. The average price of gasoline in the United States has climbed to $4.45 per gallon, marking an increase of nearly 50 percent since the war began. In response, OPEC said it would raise production, without addressing speculation about the United Arab Emirates leaving the group.
On the diplomatic front, Trump said US representatives are engaged in “very positive discussions” with Iran as both sides exchange peace proposals. US special envoy Steve Witkoff also confirmed that talks remain active, while Iran’s Foreign Ministry said Tehran is currently reviewing Washington’s response to its latest proposal.
Trump posts “I have all the cards” after announcing Hormuz project
US President Donald Trump posted a composite image on Truth Social featuring the phrase “I have all the cards,” without further explanation.
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) May 3, 2026
The message came shortly after Trump announced a new maritime initiative aimed at securing shipping lanes through the Strait of Hormuz.
US to launch support for ‘Freedom Project’ in Strait of Hormuz
The United States Central Command announced it will begin, starting Monday, supporting the so-called “Freedom Project” aimed at restoring maritime navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.
The command said the operation will proceed under directives from US President Donald Trump, with the goal of ensuring safe passage for commercial vessels.
It added that the US State Department and the Department of War have launched a parallel initiative described as a “Maritime Freedom Framework” to improve coordination in the region.
Military deployment and scope
A US Central Command commander said the mission is essential for regional security and the global economy.
He confirmed the deployment will include guided-missile destroyers, more than 100 aircraft, and around 15,000 personnel.
Germany says US remains ‘most important’ NATO partner despite troop withdrawal
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has reaffirmed the United States as Germany’s “most important partner in the North Atlantic Alliance,” in an X post, striking a conciliatory tone even as Washington moves ahead with plans to withdraw 5,000 troops from the country.
The statement comes days after the Pentagon announced that Defence Secretary Hegseth had ordered the troop drawdown, a move widely seen as a rebuke to Berlin amid transatlantic tensions over the handling of the Iran war.
Merz had earlier sparred with President Donald Trump after accusing Iran of “humiliating” the United States in stalled peace talks. Trump threatened the troop reduction shortly after that exchange.
Iran warns US over Trump Strait of Hormuz plan
Iran has issued its first official response to US President Donald Trump’s announcement of the “Project Freedom” initiative aimed at securing maritime navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.
The head of the Iranian parliament’s national security committee warned that any US intervention in the governance or security arrangements of the strait would be considered a violation of a ceasefire framework.
He added that the Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf waters “cannot be managed by imagined posts or statements from the American president,” directly rejecting Washington’s proposal.
Graham backs Trump maritime move, slams Iran proposal
US Republican Senator Lindsey Graham voiced strong support for President Donald Trump’s newly announced “Project Freedom,” describing it as a necessary step to restore navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.
In a post on X, Graham said the project aims to reopen the vital global shipping route, which he accused Iran of obstructing.
The senator also dismissed Tehran’s latest proposal to end the conflict, saying it was “absurd” and accusing Iran of “playing games through negotiations.”
Graham said he still hopes the conflict can be resolved diplomatically but argued that the US must now act to restore freedom of navigation and respond forcefully if Iran continues what he described as efforts to destabilize global security.
US sends revised proposal after Iran submits latest offer
The United States has submitted a revised draft agreement to Iran in response to Tehran’s latest proposal aimed at ending the war, according to sources cited by Axios.
The updated proposal was reportedly sent Sunday as Washington seeks to advance negotiations and narrow remaining differences between the two sides. Details of the revised draft have not been made public.
Day 65 of the US-‘Israeli’ war on Iran
For coverage of the previous day, visit the link below.
Read more: Day 65 | US-Iran diplomacy stalls, fears mount over return to conflict
