ConflictClarifier

متتبع أزمة إيران-الخليج 2026
CC
Main
Live Data
Analytics
Tools
Reference
Events Archive
strikeMay 9, 2026

Trump Threatens To Resume 'Project Freedom Plus' If Iran Deal Not Sealed

Summary

HAMILTON, May 9 (Bernama-Anadolu) -- United States (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 finalised, threatening to revive and expand the paused “Project Freedom” operation, Anadolu Ajansi (AA) reported. “We'll go a different route if everything doesn't get signed up, buttoned up. “We may go back to Project Freedom if things don't happen,” Trump told reporters at the White House. “It’ll be Project Freedom Plus, meaning Project Freedom plus other things,” without elaborating on what additional measures the expanded operation would entail. Regional tensions have escalated since the US and Israel launched strikes against Iran on Feb 28, triggering retaliation from Tehran against Israel as well as US allies in the Gulf, along with 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. Since April 13, the US has enforced a naval blockade targeting Iranian maritime traffic in the waterway. Trump announced Tuesday that the US military will temporarily pause “Project Freedom” to restore freedom of navigation for commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, and said the American blockade will remain “in full force and effect.” -- BERNAMA-ANADOLU BERNAMA provides up-to-date authentic and comprehensive news and information which are disseminated via BERNAMA Wires; www.bernama.com; BERNAMA TV on Astro 502, unifi TV 631 and MYTV 121 channels and BERNAMA Radio on FM93.9 (Klang Valley), FM107.5 (Johor Bahru), FM107.9 (Kota Kinabalu) and FM100.9 (Kuching) frequencies. Follow us on social media : Facebook : @bernamaofficial, @bernamatv, @bernamaradio Twitter : @bernama.com, @BernamaTV, @bernamaradio Instagram : @bernamaofficial, @bernamatvofficial, @bernamaradioofficial TikTok : @bernamaofficial

Perspectives

Iranian Official

The Iranian government strongly rejects US President Trump's threats to revive and expand the illegal "Project Freedom" operation in the Strait of Hormuz, which constitute blatant foreign aggression against Iran's sovereign rights over its territorial waters. These provocations follow the US-Israeli strikes of February 28 and the subsequent naval blockade, to which Iran responded with legitimate defensive measures to protect regional security and freedom of navigation. Tehran affirms its unwavering commitment to resistance against any renewed attempts at coercion, upholding its independence amid ongoing talks.

Israeli

From Israel's perspective, Iran's threats to close the Strait of Hormuz and mobilize its proxy networks represent an existential danger, directly targeting the Jewish state's survival through economic strangulation and multi-front attacks. The US-Israel strikes on February 28 were a necessary defensive response to Tehran's aggression, followed by Iranian retaliation that necessitated a sustained naval blockade to secure vital sea lanes. Trump's warning to revive and expand "Project Freedom" underscores the imperative for robust measures to deter further Iranian escalation amid fragile ceasefires.

Neutral

US President Donald Trump stated on May 9 that Washington could escalate its military posture in the Strait of Hormuz if an agreement with Iran is not reached, including possible revival and expansion of the paused “Project Freedom” operation. According to reports from Anadolu Ajansi, Trump indicated that an expanded version, referred to as “Project Freedom Plus,” might be implemented without detailing additional measures. The remarks follow a sequence of US and Israeli strikes on Iran in February, Iranian retaliation, a Pakistani-mediated ceasefire effective April 8 and later extended without a deadline, and a US naval blockade of Iranian maritime traffic initiated April 13.

Western

US President Trump signaled that Washington could expand military operations in the Strait of Hormuz to neutralize Iranian threats and restore freedom of navigation if ongoing talks fail to secure a durable agreement. The warning follows US and allied strikes that countered Iranian aggression and retaliation, with a temporary pause in Project Freedom allowing commercial shipping while the naval blockade remains in force to maintain pressure and deter further disruptions. This approach prioritizes precise, strategic measures to safeguard vital maritime routes amid heightened regional tensions.

Pro-Peace

US President Trump's threat to revive and expand military operations in the Strait of Hormuz risks further civilian suffering and humanitarian fallout from the cycle of strikes, retaliation, and blockade that has already disrupted vital trade routes and livelihoods across the region. The naval restrictions since April continue to impose severe economic hardship on populations dependent on commercial shipping, while the Pakistani-mediated ceasefire demonstrates that sustained diplomacy remains a viable alternative to renewed escalation and prolonged conflict.

Global South

US President Trump’s threat to revive and expand “Project Freedom” and maintain a naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz underscores Washington’s neo-colonial bid to dictate terms over a vital global trade artery, disregarding Iran’s sovereignty and the interests of non-aligned nations dependent on unimpeded navigation. The fragile April ceasefire, mediated by Pakistan after US-Israeli strikes triggered regional escalation, collapsed amid failed talks in Islamabad, exposing the limits of ad-hoc diplomacy and the absence of effective multilateral institutions. With the US unilaterally extending the truce without deadlines while keeping the blockade in force, Global South economies face renewed risks of energy shocks and coerced alignments.

Actors involved

USIsraelIran

Sources

  • CurrentsAPI

    HAMILTON, May 9 (Bernama-Anadolu) -- United States (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 finalised, threatening to revive and expand the paused “Project Freedom” operation, An…

See this event through different lenses

Compare how Western, Iranian, Israeli, Global South, and Pro-Peace perspectives frame this event.

Compare Perspectives

Community Notes

Community Notes

Loading notes...

Related events

strikeUnverifiedUSIranRussiaChina

Iran trade plummets under US blockade, bureaucratic errors

○ 1 source

According to the semi-official Mehr News Agency, more than 3,700 cargo trucks are reportedly stalled at Iran’s borders with Turkey and Pakistan, with truckers alleging delays of up to 20 days amidst extreme heat and logistical shortages. Coinciding with a reported nearly 30% decline in non-oil exports to $15 billion, these trade disruptions occur against the backdrop of a US naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and recent cross-border attacks affecting Iraq-Saudi Arabia pipeline operations.

Location: Iran
Ronny Reyes
strikeUnverifiedUSIranProxyUN

Pakistan says time has come to implement Mecca defence pact

○ 1 source

Pakistan’s Defence Minister stated that the country is prepared to activate the Mecca defence pact with Saudi Arabia and Turkey amid intensifying Houthi attacks on the kingdom. While Islamabad emphasized its commitment to protecting Saudi Arabia and its holy cities, Houthi officials disputed claims of targeting Mecca, asserting that their operations are limited to Saudi oil facilities and military bases.

Location: Mecca
CurrentsAPI
strikeUnverifiedUSIsraelIranProxyChina

This extremist group has found a new way to threaten the global economy: cheap drones

○ 1 source

Analyst Mark Almond argues that Houthi drone strikes on Saudi Arabia’s East-West pipeline and Red Sea shipping routes pose a significant threat to global supply chains. While the Houthis state they are targeting only Saudi forces and their proxies, the article notes that confidence in this limitation is currently low.

Location: Strait of Hormuz
Mark Almond
strikeUnverifiedUSIsraelIranUN

UN mission faults both U.S., Iran for deadly attacks before and during war | Honolulu Star-Advertiser

○ 1 source

A UN fact-finding mission reported having reasonable grounds to believe U.S. forces conducted strikes on a school in Iran that officials said killed more than 150 people, while also alleging Iranian authorities committed crimes against humanity during recent protests.

The report is being submitted to the UN Human Rights Council, and while U.S. officials stated their operations complied with the law of armed conflict, Iran has rejected allegations of systematic rights violations.

Location: Iran
Reuters