US Project Freedom Falters as Hormuz Navigation Remains Unsecured

The U.S. announced Project Freedom on May 4 to end the Iranian blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. It was suspended the next day even as merchant ships and U.S. Navy craft came under attack. Though U.S. President Donald Trump cited progress in negotiations with Iran as the reason for calling off the initiative project, Iran had shown it could escalate the situation if the U.S. persisted in its attempt to deny Iran stakes in the Strait of Hormuz and establish dominance in the Persian Gulf. This was a far cry from 30 years ago, when the U.S. was able to intervene in the Tanker Wars and ensure a relatively smoother flow of ships in the region. Iran-Israel war LIVE Listing a range of advanced systems, including underwater drones and warships, the U.S. said multiple advanced military capabilities were being “harnessed” in Project Freedom to reopen safe navigation through the strait. As the initiative got underway, the U.S. claimed two U.S.-flagged merchant ships had crossed the strait freely, apparently not through the routes Iran had indicated, as a demonstration meant to encourage confidence. Iran had earlier indicated that only the area close to its coast was free of mines and marked a danger zone running almost the entire breadth of the strait towards Oman. In a day, however, Mr. Trump declared Project Freedom was temporarily suspended. There were indications shipowners were not convinced to make the transit. The same day the project was announced, Hapag-Lloyd, one of the biggest container shipping companies in the world, said its risk assessment remained unchanged and that the Strait of Hormuz remained closed for its transits until further notice. U.S. ‘not looking for a fight’ over Strait of Hormuz, Pete Hegseth says The industry sought more details since the U.S. indicated it was not going to escort ships individually, unlike 30 years ago when it largely succeeded in beating back Iranian initiatives to take control of the strait. Operation Earnest Will involved mine

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