US Launches Project Freedom in Strait of Hormuz

The United States (US) has launched Project Freedom in the Strait of Hormuz. This is Washington’s effort to guide ships from the Gulf through the Strait of Hormuz. Summarising detikcom citing the BBC on Tuesday (5/5), the project began with US strikes on seven Iranian fast boats in the Strait of Hormuz. The US attacked those boats using helicopters. “We have shot down seven small boats or, as they call them, ‘fast boats’. That’s all they have,” said US President Donald Trump. However, this attack was denied by Iranian state media. Citing military sources, the Tasnim news agency reported that two small cargo boats were hit in the attack, killing five civilians. Trump had actually announced the project some time ago. At that time, Trump said the US Navy would begin escorting stranded ships in Gulf waters to exit by crossing the Strait of Hormuz on Monday (4/5). Those ships have been stranded since Iran blocked the waterway route at the start of the conflict in February. One Ship Successfully Exits On Monday (4/5), the shipping company Maersk said the US-flagged ship Alliance Fairfax, which had been stranded in the Gulf since late February, has exited the Strait of Hormuz. The company said it had been contacted by US authorities who “offered the ship an opportunity to leave the Gulf under US military protection”. “The ship then exited the Persian Gulf accompanied by US military assets without incident, and all crew members are safe and uninjured,” Maersk added. However, not all ships in Gulf waters are safe from threats. The United Arab Emirates Foreign Ministry reported that an ADNOC tanker, belonging to the state oil company, was attacked in the Strait of Hormuz. South Korea also reported an explosion on one of their ships anchored near the UAE. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the incidents in the strait “clearly show that there is no military solution to the political crisis”. “Project Freedom is a project of deadlock,” he added. Iran’s military said it would attack US forces if they enter the Strait of Hormuz. Reasons for the Operation The US operation will involve 15,000 personnel, guided missile destroyers, and more than 100 aircraft, according to Centcom. In a social media post, Trump said “countries from all over the world” have asked the US if they can help free those ships, which he described as “simply innocent neutral parties”. Trump also said that US representatives are holding “very positive” talks with Iran, and that those talks “could lead to something very positive for all parties”. Iran’s blockade of the strait has caused global fuel prices to rise because most of the world’s oil can no longer pass through that route. Around 20% of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas usually passes through the strait. In addition, it is estimated that 20,000 seafarers have been trapped in the Gulf since the war with Iran began. The impact of the war is feared to have a bad effect on the physical and mental health of the seafarers. Moreover, their logistical supplies are running thin. On Sunday (3/5), the United Kingdom Maritime Transportation Operation (UKMTO) reported that a tanker had been hit by an “unknown projectile” in the strait, adding that the crew were safe. Iran’s Reaction In a statement, the head of Iran’s central command stated that they would attack “any foreign armed force” attempting to approach or enter the strait, “especially aggressive US troops”. Major General Ali Abdollahi said that Iran has “repeatedly” emphasised that the strait is “under the control” of Iran’s armed forces. As for shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, he added, it must be coordinated with Iran “in all circumstances”. Operation “Project Freedom” was launched while both countries are still under a temporary ceasefire that began on 8 April, and as they attempt to agree on a permanent peace plan. Senior Iranian parliament member Ebrahim Azizi, a former commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, wrote on social media that “any American intervention” would “be considered a violation of the ceasefire”. Iran had previously accused the US of violating the ceasefire by blockading its ports. Iran’s chief negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, said at the end of April that the blockade was tantamount to holding the global economy hostage.