00:00Well, as you know, President Trump has directed U.S. Central Command to restart the free flow
00:06of commerce through the Strait of Hormuz under the umbrella of Project Freedom.
00:11To be clear, this operation is separate and distinct from Operation Epic Fury.
00:18Project Freedom is defensive in nature, focused in scope, and temporary in duration, with
00:25one mission. Protecting innocent commercial shipping from Iranian aggression. American
00:32forces won't need to enter Iranian waters or airspace. It's not necessary. We're not
00:37looking for a fight, but Iran also cannot be allowed to block innocent countries and their
00:42goods from an international waterway. Iran is the clear aggressor, harassing civilian
00:50vessels, threatening mariners from every nation indiscriminately, and weaponizing a critical
00:57choke point for its own financial benefit, or at least trying to. For too long, Iran has
01:03been harassing ships, shooting at civilian tankers from all nations, and trying to impose a tolling
01:09system. Iran's plan, a form of international extortion, is unacceptable.
01:17That ends with Project Freedom.
01:22As a direct gift from the United States to the world, we have established a powerful red, white,
01:27and blue dome over the Strait. American destroyers are on stations, supported by hundreds of fighter
01:34jets, helicopters, drones, and surveillance aircraft, providing 24-7 overwatch for peaceful, commercial
01:41vessels. Except Iran's, of course. Which is why our ironclad blockade remains in full effect as well. In fact, six
01:51ships tried to run the blockade out of Iranian ports as Project Freedom commenced, and they were all turned
01:58around. To our partners, allies, and the rest of the world, this is a temporary mission for us. As I've
02:07said
02:07before, the world needs this waterway a lot more than we do. We're stabilizing the situation so commerce can flow
02:15again, but we expect the world to step up. At the appropriate time and soon, we will hand responsibility back
02:22to you.
02:24To the incredible Americans executing this mission right now.
02:28I'll simply...
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