Trump Considers Reviving 'Freedom Initiative'

On Monday, May 11th, according to Fox News, U.S. President Trump indicated that he is considering the revival of the "Freedom Plan". This plan was initially designed to guide ship traffic during the Iranian crisis in 2026, but Trump warned that the scale of the operation this time will not be limited to escorting.

Trump revealed that Iran has informed him that the U.S. must retrieve nuclear dust previously buried under Iranian facilities after a joint U.S.-Israeli attack. Due to the depth of the burial, Iran is unable to handle it themselves. Trump said it is currently unclear how the U.S. will facilitate this matter.

In response to the high energy costs, Trump mentioned during a phone interview with Fox News that he might consider suspending the 18% federal gas tax. U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright later confirmed that the government is evaluating all options to lower oil prices to alleviate the burden on the public.

According to data from AAA, the national average gasoline price is hovering around $4.52 per gallon. Affected by the Iranian war that broke out in February of this year, this price has surged by over 50% in just a few months.

Wright emphasized in an interview with the National Broadcasting Company that if the U.S. ultimately cannot reach a negotiation agreement with Iran, the use of force to reopen the Strait of Hormuz will not be ruled out. Formal discussions on reviving the "Freedom Project" are still ongoing, and the White House has not yet made a final decision.