Former US naval officer and Kilwynn Group chairman Harlan Ullman has warned that Donald Trump’s announced ‘Project Freedom’ to resolve the Hormuz Strait crisis could lead to a major disaster if not carefully planned. In an interview with Al Jazeera, Ullman said the mission carries extremely high risks, particularly if Iran decides to resist the operation.

He noted that Iran possesses a large number of drones and small warships, which could make the mission highly challenging. Ullman cautioned that any attack on a US warship would leave Washington with no choice but to retaliate. He expressed hope that Trump’s declaration was part of a diplomatic initiative coordinated with Iran and mediators such as Pakistan, Oman, or Saudi Arabia.

According to Ullman, the only sustainable solution lies in reopening the Hormuz Strait and initiating long-term diplomatic talks on Iran’s nuclear ambitions. He emphasized that the crisis should be resolved through negotiation rather than military escalation to protect the global economic system.