President Trump ordered a cautious naval operation on Monday to help U.S.-flagged and commercial ships cross the Strait of Hormuz, with crews advised on mine avoidance and U.S. forces ready to intervene if Iran attacks. [1]
The Navy will not provide full escorts. Ships will instead be in the vicinity with military aircraft nearby, a setup the U.S. hopes will reduce the risk to shipping without putting warships directly in the lead. [1]
The operation, called "Project Freedom," will draw support from U.S. Central Command and include guided-missile destroyers, drones, more than 100 air assets and 15,000 troops. U.S. officials said the rules of engagement have also been changed to allow forces to strike immediate threats to ships crossing the strait, including Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps fast boats or missile positions. [1]
A senior U.S. official said Trump wants "action" to break the standoff with Tehran. "The president wants action. He doesn't want to sit still. He wants pressure. He wants a deal," the official said, adding that the White House is pursuing pressure and eventually an agreement rather than immediate war. [1]
CENTCOM Commander Adm. Brad Cooper had proposed a more aggressive plan to send Navy ships through the strait by force, but Trump chose the more cautious option, according to the report. [1]
Iran has attacked vessels trying to pass through the narrow waterway almost daily over the past week. Ebrahim Azizi, chairman of the Iranian parliament's national security committee, warned that "Any American interference in the new maritime regime of the Strait of Hormuz will be met with retaliation." [1]
The advisory operation was set to begin Monday as U.S. forces prepared to escort ships through one of the world's most important oil chokepoints. [1]