US Navy Nears Strait of Hormuz to Deter Iranian Attacks

Axios reported, citing a US official today, Monday, that US Navy ships would be close to the Strait of Hormuz if they needed to prevent the Iranian military from attacking commercial vessels crossing the strait.

Officials added that the US Navy would provide commercial ships with information about the best maritime passages in the strait, especially those in which the Iranian military has not laid mines.

According to US officials, the new Strait of Hormuz initiative does not necessarily include US Navy ships escorting commercial vessels.

Sources also reported that the United States sent another revised draft of a war-ending agreement on Sunday, in response to the latest proposal submitted by Iranian officials.

US President Donald Trump had said that the US Navy would begin, starting Monday, guiding foreign ships as they cross the Strait of Hormuz, warning that the US military would use force if Iran tried to disrupt this operation.

Trump explained, via the "Truth Social" platform, that countries from around the world — not parties to the war but with ships stuck in the strait — had asked the United States for help in freeing them.

He added that many of these ships are suffering from a lack of food and essential supplies for their crews, in addition to health and general hygiene problems.

Trump affirmed that "the movement of ships is aimed only at freeing individuals, companies, and countries that have committed no wrong; they are victims of circumstances," describing the move as "a humanitarian gesture on the part of the United States and Middle Eastern countries, especially Iran."

He added that Washington had informed these countries that it would work to guide their ships safely out of "these restricted waterways" to enable them to resume their operations freely and efficiently.

Trump stressed that "if this humanitarian operation is interfered with in any way, this interference will have to be dealt with by force."