finance
U.S. Forces Escort Commercial Ships Through Strait of Hormuz After Engaging Iranian Vessels
President Trump announced Project Freedom on Monday to assist stranded ships in transiting the Strait of Hormuz, leading to exchanges of fire with Iranian forces. The U.S. military reported destroying six Iranian boats and downing missiles, while Iran claimed to have struck a U.S. frigate. Oil prices fell as two U.S.-flagged vessels successfully passed through the waterway.
Al JazeeraAudio version
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U.S. naval forces destroyed six Iranian small boats and shot down missiles and drones in the Strait of Hormuz on May 4, 2026, as part of an operation to reopen the waterway to commercial traffic, according to Adm. Brad Cooper, who commands U.S. naval forces in the Middle East.
The operation, dubbed Project Freedom, involved U.S. warships guiding stranded commercial vessels through the strait, which carries about 20% of the world's oil exports. President Donald Trump described the effort in a statement as a "humanitarian gesture on behalf of the United States, Middle Eastern countries, and particularly Iran," noting that many ships were running low on food and other necessities for their crews.
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed it fired on a U.S. frigate with two missiles after it disregarded warning shots, but the U.S. military called this assertion false. IRGC spokesman Brigadier General Mohbi stated that Iran was in full control of the Strait of Hormuz and that any vessel trying to transit without adhering to protocols would face serious risks and be stopped with force.
Iranian parliamentarian Ebrahim Azizi posted a warning that any American interference would be considered a violation of the ceasefire agreement following U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28, 2026.
Two U.S.-flagged merchant ships successfully transited the strait on May 4, the first American commercial vessels to do so since Iran effectively closed it during the conflict. The U.S. military encouraged other ships to pass through, with American warships assisting in restoring transit.
Separately, tensions escalated with reports of strikes on the United Arab Emirates and Oman, including suspected Iranian drone and missile attacks that set a UAE oil facility on fire. The UAE foreign ministry reported an Iranian barrage targeting the country and stated it reserved the right to respond.
