Trump warns US may escalate Hormuz posture if no Iran deal, threatening 'Project Freedom Plus'

US President Donald Trump warned Friday that Washington may escalate its military posture in the Strait of Hormuz if a deal with Iran is not finalized, threatening to revive and expand the paused "Project Freedom" operation. "We'll go a different route if everything doesn't get signed up, buttoned up," Trump told reporters at the White House. "We may go back to Project Freedom if things don't happen. It'll be Project Freedom Plus, meaning Project Freedom plus other things," he said, without elaborating on what additional measures the expanded operation would entail.

Ceasefire context

Regional tensions have escalated since the US and Israel launched strikes against Iran on Feb. 28, triggering retaliation from Tehran and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. A ceasefire took effect April 8 through Pakistani mediation, but talks in Islamabad failed to produce a lasting agreement. The truce was later extended by Trump without a set deadline.

Naval blockade

Since April 13, the US has enforced a naval blockade targeting Iranian maritime traffic in the waterway. Trump announced Tuesday that the US military would temporarily pause "Project Freedom" to restore freedom of navigation for commercial shipping through the strait, while saying the American blockade would remain "in full force and effect."

Recent tensions

Iran and the US exchanged attacks earlier this week, with Iran launching a large-scale missile and drone attack on US destroyers near the strait. The US Central Command said its forces intercepted the attacks and responded with self-defense strikes. No US assets were hit.