'Project Freedom' begins, two ships safely transit Strait of Hormuz

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(The Center Square) – The United States launched “Project Freedom” Monday morning in an effort to safely escort commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz.

President Donald Trump announced the operation Sunday on Truth Social, which the president described as a “humanitarian gesture” for countries that haven’t been involved in the current conflict with Iran.

The Islamic Republic has essentially held the vital waterway hostage since the early days of the conflict, which began Feb. 28 when the U.S. and Israel launched coordinated strikes against Iran.

U.S. Central Command that the mission will include Navy guided-missile destroyers, “over 100 land and sea-based aircraft, multi-domain unmanned platforms, and 15,000 service members.”

As of Monday morning, CENTCOM announced that two ships had been successfully escorted out of the strait, and the Navy instructed ships to route through Oman's territorial waters.

Before the conflict started, about 130 ships passed through the strait daily. 

CENTCOM noted that a quarter of the world’s oil, fuel and fertilizer are transported through the Strait. The closure has led to sky-high gas prices worldwide.

CENTCOM commander Adm. Brad Cooper emphasized that while the U.S. Navy supports “Project Freedom,” the naval blockade against Iran continues.

“Our support for this defensive mission is essential to regional security and the global economy as we also maintain the naval blockade,” said Cooper.

In his Truth Social post, the president reiterated several times that the ships being escorted are not involved in the conflict.

“Countries from all over the World, almost all of which are not involved in the Middle Eastern dispute going on so visibly, and violently, for all to see, have asked the United States if we could help free up their Ships, which are locked up in the Strait of Hormuz, on something which they have absolutely nothing to do with – They are merely neutral and innocent bystanders! For the good of Iran, the Middle East, and the United States, we have told these Countries that we will guide their Ships safely out of these restricted Waterways, so that they can freely and ably get on with their business,” Trump posted to Truth Social.

Despite the effort to move the ships through the strait, the process will likely be a one-time measure.

“I have told my Representatives to inform them that we will use best efforts to get their Ships and Crews safely out of the Strait. In all cases, they said they will not be returning until the area becomes safe for navigation, and everything else,” the president added.

Trump warned Iran that if the “humanitarian process is interfered” with, it will be dealt with “forcefully.”

The president recently authorized the U.S. Navy to “shoot and kill any boat” used by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard, which have been described as smaller, fast-attack-type boats. Trump says the smaller boats could be used to place mines around the Strait of Hormuz, as the U.S. is engaging in mine sweeping operations to clear the waterway.

On Monday morning, the United Arab Emirates released a statement condemning an “Iranian terrorist attack,” which they say involved two drones used to target a commercial vessel as it transited the strait.