What we know about Trump's 'Project Freedom' in Strait of Hormuz

May 5, 2026

President Trump has launched "Project Freedom," a military operation to help guide approximately 2,000 ships and 20,000 sailors trapped in the Strait of Hormuz since Iran blocked the waterway following US-Israeli air strikes on February 28th. The operation involves deploying over 15,000 US service members, guided-missile destroyers, and more than 100 aircraft to provide defensive coverage for stranded commercial vessels from 87 countries attempting to transit the strait, through which 20% of global oil and liquefied natural gas normally passes. Initial transit attempts have already sparked violence, with Iran firing missiles at US warships and drones targeting commercial vessels, while the US claims to have sunk Iranian small boats, threatening the fragile ceasefire.

Who is affected

An estimated 20,000 sailors trapped on ships
Approximately 2,000 stranded ships from 87 countries
Shipping companies and tanker operators (including Maersk)
15,000 US service members deployed for the operation
Adnoc (UAE state-owned oil company) - tanker targeted by drones
South Korean cargo vessel crew - ship struck in the strait
Countries dependent on oil and liquefied natural gas transit through the strait
Insurance companies assessing transit risks
Independent tanker owners and operators represented by Intertanko

What action is being taken

US Central Command is deploying guided-missile destroyers, over 100 aircraft, unmanned platforms, and 15,000 service members to support Project Freedom
US Navy guided-missile destroyers are operating in the Gulf and have transited the Strait of Hormuz
US forces are actively assisting efforts to restore transit for commercial shipping
The US military is providing air cover and defense from missile and drone attacks
US attack helicopters have been used to sink small Iranian boats targeting civilian vessels
Iran's military is firing cruise missiles at US warships and commercial ships
Iran is using drones and small boats against commercial vessels
Two US-flagged merchant vessels have successfully transited through the strait with US military accompaniment

Why it matters

The Strait of Hormuz is a critical global chokepoint through which 20% of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas passes, making its blockade a significant threat to international commerce and energy supplies. The stranding of 20,000 sailors and 2,000 ships raises serious humanitarian concerns regarding dwindling supplies and deteriorating physical and mental health conditions. The military confrontation between US and Iranian forces during transit operations threatens to collapse the existing ceasefire and potentially escalate into wider hostilities, with experts suggesting resumed conflict is a matter of "when, not if." The operation's success also depends on whether shipping companies and their insurers will trust the safety guarantees enough to risk transit, meaning military capability alone may be insufficient to resolve the crisis without diplomatic engagement.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC