Two U.S.-flagged ships passed through the Strait of Hormuz on Monday under U.S. military protection, marking the first visible step in President Donald Trump’s push to reopen the vital shipping lane after months of disruption tied to the Iran conflict.
U.S. Central Command said the merchant vessels moved through the narrow waterway “as a first step” in the administration’s effort to restore commercial traffic. The strait, a key artery for global oil shipments, has been effectively shut down by Iran since the war began in February.
The operation, dubbed “Project Freedom” by Trump, involves a large American military presence in the region. Central Command said the mission is backed by destroyers, warplanes, and roughly 15,000 U.S. service members tasked with escorting and protecting vessels moving through the corridor.
Trump has taken a hard line on the operation, warning that any attempt to disrupt the passage would be met with force. “Any interference will be dealt with forcefully,” he said.
Iranian state media earlier Monday claimed the country’s forces had fired on two U.S.-flagged ships during the transit. U.S. officials quickly pushed back. Central Command denied the report and said the passage occurred without incident.
The military also said its broader pressure campaign remains in place, noting that a naval blockade targeting Iranian ports and vessels will continue alongside the escort missions.
The developments come as diplomatic efforts between Washington and Tehran show little progress. Talks over Iran’s nuclear program appear stalled, with both sides digging in.
Trump said over the weekend he would review Iran’s latest proposal but signaled it is unlikely to gain approval, arguing Tehran has “not yet paid a big enough price.”
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