Secretary of War Pete Hegseth announced Project Freedom, a U.S. Central Command initiative to restore safe passage for commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran has blocked for the past weeks. The project is separate from the ceasefire‑held Operation Epic Fury. Hegseth said the project is defensive, focused, temporary, and aims to protect innocent commercial shipping from Iranian aggression. He noted that American forces would not enter Iranian waters or airspace, and that two U.S.‑flag merchant ships and U.S. destroyers had already transited the strait. Joint Chiefs Chairman Dan Caine confirmed more than 1,500 vessels are trapped in the gulf, and that U.S. land, naval, and air assets are providing 24‑hour overwatch. The goal is to let ships from around the world exit the Gulf and resume commerce.
© U.S. Government.
Summary adapted from https://war.gov
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