President Donald Trump has announced that the US will begin to escort ships out of the Strait of Hormuz from Monday, as the Iran war continues. He announced the effort would be named ‘Project Freedom’. The move comes after countries around the world reportedly asked Washington for help in freeing vessels stranded in the key shipping lane, many of which are not involved in the conflict. In a statement, Mr Trump said the ships were “neutral and innocent bystanders” caught up in a crisis they had “absolutely nothing to do with”. He said the US would guide vessels safely through the restricted waterway so they could “get on with their business”, describing the mission as a humanitarian effort. The Strait of Hormuz has become a major flashpoint in the ongoing tensions involving Iran, with attacks, blockades and threats severely disrupting global shipping routes. The US leader said he had instructed officials to assure those affected that the US would do everything possible to ensure ships and their crews are escorted safely out of the Strait. …