By Sadiq Abdulfatah

US President Donald Trump has warned that the United States could increase its military actions in the Strait of Hormuz if ongoing talks with Iran fail to reach a final agreement.

Speaking to reporters at the White House on Friday, Trump said Washington may resume and expand a paused military operation known as “Project Freedom.”

“We’ll go a different route if everything doesn’t get signed up, buttoned up,” he said.

When asked whether the US would restart the operation, Trump said he did not think so, but added that it “might do it.”

He also suggested the plan could be expanded into what he called “Project Freedom Plus,” without giving further details.

Trump said Pakistan, which has been mediating between Washington and Tehran, had advised against resuming the operation.

Tensions in the region have remained high since military strikes by the US and Israel on Iran in late February, followed by retaliatory actions and disruptions in key Gulf waterways.

A ceasefire brokered in April has held loosely, but negotiations have yet to produce a lasting settlement.

Source: Saudi Gazette