Trump revealed plans to ‘free up’ the ships in the crucial waterway in a Truth Social post on May 3.
The Ateela 2 Oil Tanker boat navigates the sea on Qeshm Island, Iran, in the Strait of Hormuz, on April 28, 2026. Asghar Besharati/Getty Images
U.S. forces will “help free up” ships trapped in the Strait of Hormuz starting on Monday morning, President Donald Trump said on May 3.
Trump said countries from across the world had asked the United States to help move the stranded ships.
“They are merely neutral and innocent bystanders!” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “For the good of Iran, the Middle East, and the United States, we have told these Countries that we will guide their Ships safely out of these restricted Waterways, so that they can freely and ably get on with their business.”
Trump said on Sunday that the ships the United States will help move are “not in any way involved” with the conflict in the Middle East and described the operation as a “humanitarian gesture.”
“I have told my Representatives to inform them that we will use best efforts to get their Ships and Crews safely out of the Strait,” Trump added.
“In all cases, they said they will not be returning until the area becomes safe for navigation, and everything else.”
Trump did not reveal whether the U.S. Navy would be involved.
The announcement was made hours after the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations said a bulk carrier was attacked by multiple small craft as it transited toward the Strait of Hormuz near Iran on Sunday.
All crew members were reported safe after the attack, and there was no reported environmental damage or pollution.