The US has launched Project Freedom to guide ships trapped in the Gulf through a southern route of the Strait of Hormuz as tensions with Iran rose over control of the waterway. [1]
Donald Trump announced the operation on his social media page on Sunday night, calling it a humanitarian gesture for crews on hundreds of ships that have been unable to leave the Gulf since the war began. [1]
The US-led Joint Maritime Information Center said on Monday morning it had set up an enhanced security area south of the prewar shipping lanes and was routing ships through Omani waters. It told operators to coordinate with Omani authorities by radio and avoid the usual lanes because mines have not been fully surveyed or cleared. [1]
The operation does not include US naval escorts, but US Central Command is backing it with military resources in the region, including guided-missile destroyers, more than 100 aircraft and drones, and 15,000 troops. [1]
Iran's military command said ships must coordinate with Iranian armed forces before transiting the strait. Maj Gen Ali Abdollahi said: "We will manage the security of the strait of Hormuz with all might" and warned commercial ships and tankers not to try to pass without Iranian coordination. He also said Iran would attack "any foreign armed force" that tried to approach or enter the strait, especially US forces. [1]
It was unclear as of Monday morning how many ships had taken the US-recommended route. [1]
