US President Donald Trump has launched a maritime military initiative “Project Freedom”, ordering US forces to ‘assist’ commercial vessels currently trapped within the Strait of Hormuz following an ongoing blockage by Iranian forces in swift response to the US-Israel war on Iran.

The move signifies an escalation in US involvement in the region, positioning thousands of troops and substantial naval hardware at the world’s most critical maritime chokepoint.

Trump framed the operation as a “rescue mission” for mariners caught in the crossfire of escalating tensions.

Read more here.