The US Army reported this Monday, May 4, progress in the so-called “Project Freedom” after the passage of two merchant ships flying the US flag. The operation was announced a day earlier by Donald Trump to escort ships stranded in the Strait of Hormuz, a crossing that is experiencing a blockade amid the fragile truce between Tehran and Washington. How is it carried out and what military elements does it involve? Does this move carry a risk of escalation? We address it.
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The so-called “Project Freedom” is an operation announced by US President Donald Trump with the aim of facilitating the safe exit of merchant ships trapped in the Strait of Hormuz, one of the most strategic maritime routes in the world. The initiative comes after weeks of de facto blockade by Iran in the context of the war that began at the end of February.
According to Washington, the operation aims to allow vessels from countries not involved in the conflict to resume their commercial activities without interference.
Although presented as a humanitarian action, the operation involves a significant military deployment and represents, in practice, a direct challenge to the control that Tehran exercises over one of the most important energy corridors on the planet.
Also read EE. US denies Iranian attack on its Navy ship during new attempt to reopen Strait of Hormuz
The origin: a key corridor paralyzed by war
The Strait of Hormuz channels about a fifth of the world's oil and gas trade, making it a critical point for the global economy. Since the start of the conflict, hundreds of ships – including oil tankers, gas tankers and cargo ships – have been stranded in the Persian Gulf.
Tehran has managed to restrict passage through a combination of attacks, threats and selective controls. A scenario that has left hundreds of ships stranded in the Persian Gulf, with approximately 20,000 sailors trapped on board.
Crews, many from South and Southeast Asia, have reported increasingly precarious conditions: shortages of drinking water, food and basic supplies, in addition to the constant threat of attacks with drones, missiles or light boats.
This scenario has caused tensions in international markets and has increased the risks for commercial navigation.
Read alsoAttacks and seizures: Hormuz consolidates itself as the new battlefield after extension of the truce
How does operation “Project Freedom” work?
Although full operational details have not been disclosed, the Pentagon has confirmed that the operation "will involve an extensive military deployment. The main elements include:
The mission is not limited to physically escorting ships. It also includes providing information on safe routes, especially in areas where there may be mines or active threats, as well as deterring possible attacks through military presence.
"Countries around the world, almost all of which are not involved in the Middle East conflict that is unfolding so obviously and violently for all to see, have asked the United States to help them free their ships, which are blocked in the Strait of Hormuz, for something with which they have absolutely nothing to do: they are nothing more than neutral and innocent bystanders! For the sake of Iran, the Middle East and the United States, we have told these countries that we will guide their ships in a way safely out of these restricted waterways, so that they can continue their activities freely and without problems,” Trump announced Sunday on his Truth Social platform.
Trump has presented the operation as a humanitarian initiative, aimed at helping sailors and “neutral and innocent” countries affected by the conflict. According to his speech, it is about freeing those who have been trapped “without having done anything wrong.”
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However, the announcement includes an explicit warning: any attempt to interfere with the operation will be responded to “firmly.” This message underscores the deterrent—and potentially coercive—component of the initiative.
Read alsoEveryone is looking at Hormuz: what does a prolonged reopening of the strait depend on after Iran's announcement?
First movements on the ground: is there a risk of escalation?
This Monday, the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) indicated that two merchant ships flying the American flag managed to successfully cross the strait, in what Washington considers a first advance in the reopening of the maritime route.
In addition, a “reinforced security zone” has been established in waters near Oman, recommended as a safer corridor for vessel transit.
Even so, doubts persist in the shipping sector about whether companies and insurers will assume the risk of operating in the area, given the volatility of the context.
But as expected, Iran does not remain aloof from US decisions regarding the Strait of Hormuz. In the last few hours, state television, which cited the forces of the Islamic Republic, claimed that two missiles hit a US Navy ship near Jask, in the Strait of Hormuz, after ignoring warnings from the Revolutionary Guard to stop, according to state media, citing the forces of the Islamic Republic.
However, CENTCOM denied the attack. The "truth" is that "no US Navy ships have been attacked" and US forces continue to enforce the naval blockade of Iranian ports, he noted.
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Tehran had already frontally rejected the “Freedom Project”, calling it a provocation and violation of the current ceasefire. Iranian authorities insist they maintain control of the strait and have warned that any foreign military presence could come under attack.
The Islamic Republic has used a strategy based on threats, targeted attacks and traffic control through tolls, challenging the internationally recognized principle of freedom of navigation, but justifying it as a response to the war launched by the US and Israel against it.
This clash of positions increases the risk of a direct military escalation, especially in an environment where dozens of incidents against ships have already been recorded.
Beyond its operational dimension, “Project Freedom” represents the most ambitious attempt by the United States to reopen the strait since the beginning of the conflict. It also reflects a broader strategy: to put economic pressure on Iran through a parallel naval blockade and force negotiations.
At the same time, the operation has internal political implications for Washington, in a context in which the stability of energy prices is key.
Read alsoMillion dollar tolls and selective opening: the plan approved in the Iranian Parliament for the Strait of Hormuz
What will be its scope and geopolitical impact?
Despite the deployment, questions remain about the sustainability of the operation. Maritime industry experts warn that no clear guidelines have been issued to shipping companies and that the risk of new attacks remains high.
Furthermore, if the initiative is not coordinated with Iran and remains a unilateral action, it could condition its evolution in the coming weeks.
But ultimately, “Project Freedom” combines humanitarian, strategic and military objectives in an extremely volatile scenario, where any incident could alter the existing fragile balance.
Read alsoBetween threats and suggestions: will Trump end the war in Iran without reopening the Strait of Hormuz?
With Reuters, AP and local media
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