US says 2 merchant ships cleared Hormuz in strait-reopening push

The U.S. military said Monday two American-flagged merchant ships have transited the Strait of Hormuz under "Project Freedom," an initiative to break Iran's grip on the global waterway that has choked shipping since late February, according to The Korea Times.

The announcement is the first claimed breakthrough since Iran sealed the strategic chokepoint — a closure that has triggered global fuel price spikes and left hundreds of vessels stranded in the Persian Gulf, with ripple effects reaching the ports and fuel markets of Southern California.

U.S. Central Command said the two vessels were "safely headed on their journey" after traversing an enhanced security area in Oman's territorial waters, the Korea Times reported. The U.S. Joint Maritime Information Center is directing ships through that corridor, with Navy guided-missile destroyers providing escort.

President Donald Trump has warned that Iranian interference with the passage of ships "will, unfortunately, have to be dealt with forcefully." The White House branded the effort "Project Freedom."

Iran showed no sign of backing down. State-run IRNA dismissed the initiative as "delirium." Maj. Gen. Ali Abdollahi, speaking for Iran's military command, issued an explicit threat: "We warn that any foreign military force — especially the aggressive U.S. military — that intends to approach or enter the Strait of Hormuz will be targeted."

The announcement came on a day of sharply conflicting claims. The UAE issued its first missile alert since a fragile ceasefire took hold in early April, accusing Iran of targeting an oil tanker. An explosion and fire struck a South Korean-operated ship in the strait, according to the Korea Times. Iran claimed it had hit a U.S. Navy vessel; Central Command flatly denied it, saying "no U.S. Navy ships have been struck."

Since the U.S. imposed a naval blockade on Iranian ports on April 13, 49 commercial ships have been turned back, the paper reported. Hundreds more remain at anchor in the Persian Gulf. Pakistan separately said it brokered the transfer of 22 crew members from the seized Iranian vessel MV Touska.

Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said Tehran wants the United States to lift sanctions, end the blockade and withdraw forces before discussing non-nuclear issues — a package Iran says could be resolved within 30 days.

Jakob Larsen, head of security for the Baltic and International Maritime Council, is among the maritime industry officials watching closely whether Monday's transits represent a genuine reopening or a one-time demonstration, the Korea Times reported. With hundreds of vessels still bottled up in the Persian Gulf and both sides trading accusations, the strait's future as a reliable corridor for global energy trade remains uncertain.