finance
US Escorts Merchant Ships Through Strait of Hormuz
The US military has initiated Project Freedom to guide commercial ships through the Strait of Hormuz, with two American-flagged vessels transiting successfully despite Iranian attacks. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs Chairman Dan Caine affirmed the ceasefire remains in effect, even as Iran denounces the effort as a violation.
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The United States conducted an operation on Monday to escort two American-flagged merchant vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, according to US Central Command statements reported in multiple outlets. Joint Chiefs Chairman Dan Caine described the effort, named Project Freedom, as involving guided-missile destroyers, over 100 aircraft, and 15,000 service members.
US Central Command reported that Iranian forces launched missiles, drones, and small boats toward ships under US protection, and US helicopters responded by sinking six small boats. Iran's state TV, as cited in source reports, stated that two small civilian cargo boats were hit, resulting in five civilian deaths.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated at a Pentagon briefing that "the ceasefire is not over" despite these incidents, describing the mission as temporary and aimed at assisting mariners on vessels stuck in the Persian Gulf. According to Hegseth's remarks in sources including NBC News and The Washington Post, the operation addresses disruptions where more than 22,500 mariners are on over 1,550 vessels unable to transit.
Joint Chiefs Chairman Dan Caine told reporters, as reported in Hot Air and other outlets, that Iran's actions, including firing at commercial vessels nine times, seizing two container ships, and attacking US forces more than 10 times, are "below the threshold" for restarting major combat operations.
This assessment supports the administration's position that the ceasefire, in place for nearly a month, remains intact, without requiring a formal update to Congress under the War Powers Resolution. Iran's parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf posted on X, as noted in source coverage, that "a new equation is taking shape" and Tehran has yet to fully respond to Project Freedom.
" The US has maintained a naval blockade on Iranian ports since April 13, intercepting at least six ships attempting to run the blockade, according to Fox News. Hegseth said in a Bloomberg report that the US will maintain its "ironclad" blockade of Iranian ports.
