The US Central Command (CENTCOM) said on Sunday that its forces will “support merchant vessels seeking to freely transit” the Strait of Hormuz under President Donald Trump’s “Project Freedom”.
“US Central Command (CENTCOM) forces will begin supporting Project Freedom, on May 4, to restore freedom of navigation for commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz,” it said in a post on the US social media platform X.
This is likely to result in a strong response from Iran as that country is like to see it as another major violation of the ceasefire despite the US calling it a “defensive action”.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) on Monday warned it will target US forces if they attempt to approach or enter the Strait of Hormuz, escalating tensions in the already volatile region.
“We warn that any foreign armed force, especially the invading American army, will be attacked if they attempt to approach and enter the Strait of Hormuz,” the IRGC said in a statement carried by state-run broadcaster IRIB.
According to the statement, any safe passage and navigation in the strait must occur in coordination with Tehran “under any circumstances.”
The corps also urged ships and tankers to “refrain from any attempt to transit” the waterway without prior coordination, warning that doing so could jeopardize their security.
CENTCOM added that support for merchant vessels transiting the strait will include guided-missile destroyers, more than 100 land and sea-based aircraft, multi-domain unmanned platforms and 15,000 service members.
“Our support for this defensive mission is essential to regional security and the global economy as we also maintain the naval blockade,” said CENTCOM Commander Admiral Brad Cooper.
The Axios news site reported on Sunday, however, that the new initiative may not involve US Navy vessels directly escorting commercial ships, citing two American officials.
One official said US Navy ships would be “in the vicinity” if needed to prevent Iran’s military from targetting commercial vessels transiting the strait.
The officials added that the Navy plans to provide commercial ships with guidance on the safest maritime routes, particularly those not mined by the Iranian military.
Trump said on Sunday on his Truth Social platform that the United States would begin escorting neutral foreign vessels safely out of the Strait of Hormuz starting Monday morning Middle East time, describing the effort as a “humanitarian gesture” toward countries caught up in a conflict they have no part in.
He named the initiative “Project Freedom,” saying many of the stranded ships were running low on food and other essentials needed to keep large crews in healthy condition.
The move comes as disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz continue to ripple through global markets, with energy, fertiliser and key industrial commodities posting sharp price gains over the past two months. – AA
