Donald Trump says US will 'guide' ships in Strait of Hormuz as UKMTO issues stark warning

Donald Trump has said the US will "guide" ships through the Strait of Hormuz.

In response, the UK Maritime Trading Organisation (UKMTO) has said the maritime threat inside the critical waterway remains critical.

Mr Trump, who named the naval operation "Project Freedom", said the US navy would accompany ships from countries not involved in the Middle Eastern conflict.

Writing on his social media platform Truth Social, he said: "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."

Senior Iranian lawmaker Ebrahim Azizi said in response that any "interference" in the "new maritime regime of the Strait of Hormuz" would be considered a violation of the ceasefire.

The President described the operation as a "humanitarian gesture", adding that many ships were "running low on food, and everything else necessary for largescale crews to stay on board in a healthy and sanitary manner".

He said representatives from the US were currently engaged in "very positive" discussions, adding that discussions "could lead to something very possible".

He said: "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.

"In all cases, they said they will not be returning until the area becomes safe for navigation, and everything else.

"This process, Project Freedom, will begin Monday morning, Middle East time."

The UKMTO said a British vessel was attacked late on Sunday in the strait.

A tanker was struck by an "unknown projectile", but all crew were said to be safe, according to the maritime organisation.

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And earlier in the day, it reported a bulk carrier had been attacked by "multiple small craft".

The UKMTO released an advisory early on Monday, saying the US had "established an enhanced security area to support Strait of Hormuz transits south of the Traffic Separation Scheme".

It noted that vessels should continuously monitor VHF Channel 16, report any unusual activity, and note the proximity of any reported mines or threats along the route.

US Central Command has said at least 15,000 personnel, guided-missile destroyers, and more than 100 aircraft would be involved in the maritime operation.

An estimated 2,000 sailors have been trapped within the Gulf of Oman since the war in Iran began.

"The Ship movement is merely meant to free up people, companies, and Countries that have done absolutely nothing wrong - They are victims of circumstance," Mr Trump said.

It comes as Iran confirmed it received a US response to its peace proposal.

Iran said it was reviewing the response, but Mr Trump earlier siad on Social Media he "can’t imagine that it would be acceptable" because the Middle Eastern country had not yet "paid a big enough price" for its actions.

Speaking to reporters, he said he had been told about the "concept" of the deal, and had not yet been given the exact wording.

President Trump told reporters on Saturday that if Iran "misbehave", further strikes were a "possibility".