PM Netanyahu convenes security discussions on Iran as Jerusalem monitors Trump’s ‘Project Freedom’

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has convened high-level security discussions on Iran as Israel closely tracks U.S.-Iran negotiations and President Donald Trump’s newly launched “Project Freedom,” Israeli media reported Monday morning, while officials also continue preparations for the possibility of renewed conflict with the Iranian regime.

Israeli officials continue to “assess that the chances of a deal are low” and are skeptical that Trump’s naval blockade will push the regime toward a compromise, Ynet News reported.

On Sunday evening, Trump announced that Navy ships would begin accompanying ships through the Strait of Hormuz in what he called “Project Freedom,” another step designed to increase pressure on the regime.

“The American operation will begin in a few hours. There will be no close escort by the U.S. Navy for ships wishing to leave the area, but there will be an American presence to protect the vessels,” a source told i24 News on Monday morning.

The move effectively aims to dismantle the Iranian blockade of the waterway, which has served as its most potent tool to pressure the United States, Gulf countries and the West, and could potentially draw a military response from the regime.

Netanyahu on Sunday instructed ministers not to comment publicly on Iran and to choose their words carefully. According to Israeli sources, the U.S. is also preparing for the possibility of renewed fighting.

Against this backdrop, Netanyahu requested the cancellation of the court hearing in his ongoing corruption trial, noting that he was “required to attend a cabinet meeting yesterday and additional security consultations until the early hours of the morning, and today he is required to continue with a security and diplomatic schedule.”

Adm. Brad Cooper, CENTCOM commander, visited USS Milius (DDG 69), May 2, as the guided-missile destroyer patrolled regional waters in support of the U.S. blockade operations against Iran. While on board, he interacted with Sailors and addressed them on the 1MC while highlighting… pic.twitter.com/2qTmMmfY05

— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) May 3, 2026

On Sunday afternoon, Trump wrote on Truth Social that the U.S. had been asked to “free” the ships of various nations that are stuck in the Hormuz Strait.

“They are merely neutral and innocent bystanders! For the good of Iran, the Middle East, and the United States, we have told these Countries that we will guide their Ships safely out of these restricted Waterways, so that they can freely and ably get on with their business,” he wrote.

“I am fully aware that my Representatives are having very positive discussions with the Country of Iran, and that these discussions could lead to something very positive for all… This is a Humanitarian gesture on behalf of the United States, Middle Eastern Countries but, in particular, the Country of Iran.”

However, the president threatened, “If, in any way, this Humanitarian process is interfered with, that interference will, unfortunately, have to be dealt with forcefully.”

In response, the Iranian Khatam al-Anbiya military headquarters warned vessels “to avoid any transit activity without coordination … so as not to endanger their safety. We warn that any foreign force, especially the American military, that attempts to approach or enter the Strait of Hormuz will be attacked.”

Following the announcement of a U.S.-led Strait of Hormuz transit framework called Project Freedom, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) Centre has reported that a vessel has reported being hit by an unknown projectile 78nm north of Fujairah, United Arab Emirates.… pic.twitter.com/o9nOg9kUce

— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) May 4, 2026

On Sunday evening, UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said a vessel reported being hit by an unknown projectile 78 nautical miles north of Fujairah, United Arab Emirates, in a possible Iranian attack, while ships near the UAE port of Ras Al Khaimah received radio messages instructing them to move away from their

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) later said it would support “merchant vessels seeking to freely transit through the essential international trade corridor” as part of “Project Freedom.”

“Our support for this defensive mission is essential to regional security and the global economy as we also maintain the naval blockade,” said CENTCOM Admiral Brad Cooper.

“U.S. military support to Project Freedom will include guided-missile destroyers, over 100 land and sea-based aircraft, multi-domain unmanned platforms, and 15,000 service members.”

2/ The IRGC Navy likely attacked a vessel in the Strait of Hormuz on May 3, likely to sustain high shipping costs and oil prices to pressure the United States to make concessions. United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported that multiple small craft attacked a… pic.twitter.com/GgQMHWMaxy

— Institute for the Study of War (@TheStudyofWar) May 4, 2026

Over the weekend, the U.S. sent its response to the Iranian regime’s latest proposal to end the war, which included 14 points in three stages, according to Al Jazeera.

In a first step, the ceasefire would be stabilized and turned into a full end to the war, including the opening of the Strait of Hormuz, though under unspecified conditions. The regime would then commit to temporarily freezing uranium enrichment, before moving toward developing a new regional security framework.

However, parts of the report indicating that the regime was ready for several meaningful concessions were quickly contradicted by Iran’s Fars News Agency, which is affiliated with the Revolutionary Guards (IRGC).

Speaking to Al Jazeera, Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei noted that “at this stage – we are not discussing the nuclear issue.”