Reactions and statements from the international community
President Donald Trump announced on Truth Social that the United States will commence "Project Freedom" escort operations for ships stranded in the Strait of Hormuz starting Monday, stating that any disruption will be met with decisive and forceful action.
President Donald Trump announced that the United States will begin "Operation Liberty" on Monday to safely escort ships from neutral countries out of the Strait of Hormuz, following requests from these nations to free their detained vessels. Trump stated that this humanitarian effort will ensure the safe passage of ships and crews through the narrow waterway.
Multiple cargo vessels, bulk carriers, and tankers began departing from Ras Al Khaimah and Mina Saqr following a UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) alert that ships were instructed by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) over VHF radio to clear the anchorage area.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps instructed commercial ships to vacate anchorage near Mina Saqr in Ras Al Khaimah, UAE. Iran’s state broadcaster, Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting, claims to have evidence of UAE involvement in recent strikes on Iranian territory.
The U.S. Treasury Secretary stated on Fox News that the IRGC is a corrupt institution stealing from the Iranian people and that the U.S. has been intensifying economic pressure on Iran over the past year to suffocate the regime, warning that anyone attempting to transfer funds to Iran to assist the IRGC faces increased scrutiny.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told Fox News that the IRGC is a corrupt institution stealing from the Iranian people and holding assets abroad, which the U.S. is tracking and freezing to preserve for the Iranian people; he also noted increased economic pressure and cooperation from Gulf neighbors to block IRGC assets.
On Sunday, May 3, a bulk carrier ship near Sirik Port and en route through the Strait of Hormuz was targeted by several small vessels approximately 20 kilometers west of the port; all crew members are reported safe with no environmental damage.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Sunday that the United States is implementing "Operation Epic Wrath" to economically strangle the Iranian regime, including rerouting 49 commercial ships as part of a naval blockade.
According to Israeli media reports, the Israeli army is preparing for a potential U.S. attack on Iran, coinciding with the CENTCOM commander's visit to the region; Benjamin Netanyahu stated that every point in Iran's airspace is accessible to Israel. Meanwhile, the IRGC Intelligence Organization claimed the U.S. faces an "impossible operation" or a "bad deal," and reports suggest heightened security in Tehran.
Sources report that President Trump is considering the withdrawal of significant US forces from Spain and Italy due to the countries' criticisms of US military actions and their refusal to grant basing rights for operations against Iran.
A member of parliament quoted Qalibaf as saying that the Iranian delegation has been barred by Mojtaba Khamenei from negotiating on nuclear issues, revealing IRGC interference in the negotiations. The report was published by Mojtaba PourMohsen.
Multiple Iranian gunboats attacked a large cargo ship near the Strait of Hormuz off the coast of Sirik, Iran.
