Pentagon unveils defensive military initiative to protect global commerce as tensions with Iran persist despite ongoing ceasefire
The United States has launched a new military operation aimed at restoring commercial activity through the Strait of Hormuz.
War Secretary Pete Hegseth announced the initiative, named Project Freedom, on May 5 during a briefing at the Pentagon.
“We're not looking for a fight, but Iran also cannot be allowed to block innocent countries and their goods from an international waterway,” Hegseth said. “Iran is the clear aggressor, harassing civilian vessels, threatening mariners from every nation, indiscriminately and weaponizing a critical choke point for its own financial benefit.”
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) began imposing maritime tolls on March 13, shortly after the United States initiated Operation Epic Fury.
The conflict traces back to preemptive strikes ordered by President Donald Trump on Feb. 28, conducted alongside forces under Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
According to Hegseth, Project Freedom is separate from Operation Epic Fury.
“Project Freedom is defensive in nature, focused in scope, and temporary in duration with one mission…protecting innocent commercial shipping from Iranian aggressions,” he said.
During the briefing, Hegseth emphasized that the temporary operation is intended to safely guide vessels through the channel and restore the free flow of trade. He cited an example of Iranian strikes on an Emirati oil port on May 4.
“For too long, Iran has been harassing ships, shooting at civilian tankers from all nations and trying to impose a tolling system,” he said. “Iran's plan, a form of international extortion, is unacceptable.”
Hegseth outlined the objectives of Project Freedom, including round-the-clock protection over the strait, enforcement of the U.S. blockade, dismantling Iran’s toll system, and preventing potential global energy shortages.
He warned that any attack on U.S. forces or commercial vessels would trigger a powerful response.
“The President has been very clear about this,” Hegseth said. “We prefer this to be a peaceful operation, but are locked and loaded.”
Hegseth was joined by Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, who noted that 22,500 mariners aboard more than 1,550 vessels in the Persian Gulf had been unable to pass through the strait.
Caine also reassured that the ceasefire between the United States and Iran, which began on April 8, remains in effect.
“Since the ceasefire was announced, Iran has fired at commercial vessels nine times and seized two container ships, and they’ve attacked U.S. forces more than ten times – all below the threshold of restarting major combat operations at this point,” he said.
