The U.S. Navy has successfully punched a hole through the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, escorting the first commercial vessels through the volatile waterway under a new mission dubbed “Project Freedom.”
U.S. Central Command confirmed Monday that guided-missile destroyers are now operating within the Arabian Gulf after completing the high-stakes transit, marking the first major victory in a campaign to restart global shipping and stabilize spiraling energy prices.
“American forces are actively assisting efforts to restore transit for commercial shipping,” Central Command stated on Monday. “As a first step, 2 U.S.-flagged merchant vessels have successfully transited through the Strait of Hormuz and are safely headed on their journey.”
The breakthrough comes amid a backdrop of extreme military tension. Iran’s military command had previously warned that any American forces attempting to enter the strait would be “subjected to attack.” Following the U.S. movement, Iranian state media claimed that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps had successfully struck a U.S. warship with two missiles.
READ: Trump Dares Tehran: U.S. Warships Enter Strait Of Hormuz Despite Iran’s Attack Threat
However, Central Command dismissed the report as propaganda, clarifying on X, “TRUTH: No U.S. Navy ships have been struck. U.S. forces are supporting Project Freedom and enforcing the naval blockade on Iranian ports.”
President Donald Trump characterized the mission as a humanitarian and economic necessity, stating on Truth Social that the movement is “merely meant to free up people, companies, and Countries that have done absolutely nothing wrong.”
He noted that the U.S. intervention followed requests for help from several neutral nations, though he warned that any attempt to interfere with the escorts would be “dealt with forcefully.”
While the successful transit of the merchant ships provides a glimmer of hope for global trade, the diplomatic outlook remains grim. Over the weekend, the President expressed doubt over a recent peace proposal from Tehran, calling it unlikely to be “acceptable.”
Meanwhile, Iranian officials claimed Monday they are reviewing a U.S. counterproposal. As the diplomatic stalemate continues, the U.S. military appears prepared to remain in the Gulf to ensure the flow of commerce continues despite the looming threat of escalation.
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