May 4, 2026
The United States has launched an operation to help vessels stranded in the Strait of Hormuz after Iran imposed restrictions on non‑Iranian shipping amid the wider Iran war. President Donald Trump announced the initiative, called Project Freedom, on his Truth Social account, saying the US would guide ships from nations not party to the conflict out of the blocked waterway as a humanitarian gesture for crews low on supplies.
US Central Command said it would support the mission with roughly 15,000 personnel, more than 100 aircraft based on land and sea, and a mix of warships and drones. Operational details were limited: Trump gave few specifics, and Axios reported the US Navy may not directly escort commercial vessels, leaving uncertainty about how the program will be implemented.
Iran condemned the move and warned that any American interference would breach the fragile ceasefire. Major General Ali Abdollahi of Iran’s central command said foreign military forces, and the US in particular, would be targeted if they approached or entered the waterway. Iranian parliament security officials and other Tehran sources insisted control of the Strait’s security lies with Iran and that safe passage must be coordinated with Iranian forces.
The United Arab Emirates accused Iran of firing two drones at an empty ADNOC oil tanker, the Barakah, as it tried to transit the Strait; ADNOC said there were no injuries. The UK Maritime Trade Operations agency had earlier reported a tanker in the area struck by unknown projectiles.
Markets reacted skeptically to the US plan. Oil prices rose after the announcement: Brent crude initially climbed about 1.5% to $109.84 per barrel for July delivery and later reached $110.73, while US crude traded above $104. Prices have been volatile during the conflict, with crude briefly topping $126 per barrel last week, reflecting supply concerns and uncertainty over maritime routes.
European states are weighing steps to protect shipping as well. The UK and France are leading efforts to form a multinational mission to secure vessels transiting the Strait, but the scope, command structure and rules of engagement for any European operation remain unclear.
Diplomatic activity has continued alongside military moves. Iran says it has submitted a 14‑point peace plan focused on ending the war and reopening the Strait of Hormuz, including demands to lift US sanctions, end the US naval blockade of Iranian ports and agree to a permanent cessation of hostilities in Iran and Lebanon. Tehran reportedly gave a one‑month deadline for negotiations and said its nuclear program is not part of talks at this stage. Iranian officials said they were reviewing Washington’s response, which was relayed via Pakistani mediators.
Separately, Pakistan confirmed it would receive 22 crew members from the Iranian‑flagged container ship Touska, which US forces seized in the Gulf of Oman last month. Islamabad called the transfer a confidence‑building measure; the crew are to be returned to Iran.
The blockade and associated incidents have affected large numbers of commercial vessels and seafarers. Maritime intelligence firm AXSMarine reported more than 900 commercial vessels in the Persian Gulf region as of April 29. The International Maritime Organization estimated up to 20,000 seafarers have been unable to transit the Strait since the conflict began.
Iran has maintained restrictions on many non‑Iranian ships since US and Israeli strikes on Iranian positions began on February 28, threatening to strike vessels that pass without authorization. Those warnings and recent attacks have raised the risk of direct confrontation if foreign military forces attempt to escort or intervene in shipping through the Strait.