The US Central Command announced on Monday that the US military is conducting operations to assist in the restoration of commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. As part of these operations, US Navy destroyers and two merchant ships flying the American flag have safely passed through this crucial waterway.
The Central Command stated on the social media platform X, “US Navy missile destroyers are currently on mission in the Arabian Gulf, having previously transited the Strait of Hormuz to support ‘Project Freedom’.”
The statement further mentioned, “The US military is actively assisting in restoring the passage of commercial shipping. As a first step, two merchant ships flying the American flag have successfully traversed the Strait of Hormuz and are continuing their voyage safely.”
The Central Command did not disclose when the US Navy destroyers and the two merchant ships passed through this significant waterway.
The US military is carrying out the “Project Freedom,’ announced by President Trump on Sunday. The plan aims to help the stranded merchant ships in the Persian Gulf safely navigate through the Strait of Hormuz.
This operation appears to increase the risk of direct confrontation between the US and Iran in the Strait of Hormuz. President Trump, when announcing this news on Sunday, said that allowing these stranded ships to pass through the strait “will demonstrate goodwill among parties involved in the intense confrontations of the past few months.” However, the President also warned that if this humanitarian process faces any hindrance, the US military will respond forcefully.
The US Central Command stated that it will deploy 15,000 military personnel, over a hundred land and sea-based aircraft, warships, and drones to carry out President Trump’s “Project Freedom.”
Iran promptly threatened that any ships attempting to pass through the Strait of Hormuz without clear Iranian permission will become targets for attack.
US Treasury Secretary Bennett, in an interview with Fox News on Monday morning, stated that the US holds “absolute control” over the Strait of Hormuz and referred to the Iranian navy as “a group of pirates.”
Regarding the US naval blockade against Iran, he said, “We have blocked ships from entering and exiting Iranian ports.” The blockade has resulted in a sudden drop in the Iranian economy.