Why Trump’s ‘humanitarian’ Strait of Hormuz operation is a ruse

President Donald Trump announced on Sunday the launch of what he called “Project Freedom,” an effort to use the U.S. military  to help “guide” ships that have been left stranded in the Strait of Hormuz by Iran’s effective closure of the waterway. 

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But, typical of Trump’s policy rollouts, this operation has been so slapdash that it has been difficult to assess whether the plan’s flaws are a sign of incompetence or darker motives. Either way, Iran’s attempted attacks on U.S. forces and merchant ships Monday were an immediate sign that Trump’s new plan could unravel the ceasefire and set the war in motion again.

Trump described his ship-guiding operation for vessels stuck in the Strait of Hormuz as a “humanitarian gesture” so that they can “freely and ably get on with their business.” He also warned that any “interference” would “have to be dealt with forcefully.” This is no small task. According to U.S. Central Command, the operation will involve the use of destroyers, more than  100 aircraft and about 15,000 service members.

Iran responded by saying it would not allow U.S. forces or commercial ships to pass through the strait without its authorization, and Ali Abdollahi, an Iranian military commander, called for “all commercial ships and oil tankers to refrain from any attempt to transit without coordination with the armed forces.” 

Iran tried to make good on that threat on Monday — the first day of Trump’s operation. According to CENTCOM, after U.S. destroyers passed through the strait with commercial ships following behind them, Iran fired cruise missiles and launched drone attacks against them. The missiles and drones were intercepted and did not land hits. Six Iranian fastboats were also sent after the commercial ships but were destroyed by U.S. forces, according to CENTCOM. The Washington Post reported that Adm. Brad Cooper, head of CENTCOM, “would not say whether the exchange of strikes meant the ceasefire was over.”  

One can already see why Trump’s “humanitarian” operation will likely fail. In order for an estimated 2,000 stuck ships, which represent over 80 countries in total, to feel safe leaving the Persian Gulf, their crews would need to hear from more than just one party of the conflict that it’s OK to pass through. If they don’t hear that from both parties, then they risk being caught in the crossfire.