US launches Project Freedom to clear Hormuz Strait
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- U.S. launched “Project Freedom” to guide commercial ships through the Strait of Hormuz, but only two U.S.-flagged merchant vessels have transited so far.
- UAE reported its first attack since the early‑April ceasefire, and a British monitor observed two cargo ships ablaze off its coast.
- Iran warned that any foreign military force, especially the U.S., would be targeted and claimed to have struck a U.S. vessel, a claim the U.S. denied.
- U.S. military said it sank six small Iranian boats and faced Iranian missile and drone attacks on ships it was protecting.
- Adm. Brad Cooper said Iran initiated the aggressive behavior but declined to confirm whether the ceasefire had ended.
- BIMCO’s chief safety officer Jakob Larsen said without Iran’s consent safe transit remains unclear and the U.S. effort may risk renewed hostilities.
- Joint Maritime Information Center advised ships to use Oman’s waters and warned of mines and the lack of a fully surveyed safe route.
Why it matters: Neutral shippers face heightened danger while Iran’s retaliation could reignite fighting, jeopardizing the fragile ceasefire and pushing oil prices higher, a development that strains economies and threatens the Republican Party’s midterm prospects. The U.S. effort also underscores Washington’s reliance on military force to protect neutral trade, a strategy that could backfire politically.
