Iran says ships being ‘guided’ by US through Hormuz must work with its armed forces
The US has launched 'Project Freedom' to guide commercial ships through a southern route of the Strait of Hormuz amid ongoing tensions with Iran, which insists all transits must be coordinated with its armed forces. Shipping companies are proceeding cautiously due to unclear security conditions and conflicting directives from Iran and the US. Over 850 ships and 20,000 sailors remain stranded in the Gulf following blockades imposed by both Iran and the US after the outbreak of hostilities in February.
- ▪The US launched 'Project Freedom' to help ships stranded in the Gulf transit the Strait of Hormuz via a southern route through Omani waters.
- ▪Iran's military warned it would attack any foreign military entering the strait and demanded all commercial vessels coordinate with Iranian forces.
- ▪Over 850 ships and an estimated 20,000 sailors have been trapped in the Gulf since the US-Israel attack on Iran on 28 February.
- ▪The US Central Command stated the operation emphasizes diplomatic action with military coordination, not direct naval escorts.
- ▪French President Emmanuel Macron said the strait should only reopen through coordinated US-Iran action and ruled out European participation in unclear military operations.
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Children play in the water along the shore bulk carriers, cargo ships, and service vessels sit offshore in the strait of Hormuz, off Bandar Abbas, Iran. Photograph: Razieh Poudat/APView image in fullscreenChildren play in the water along the shore bulk carriers, cargo ships, and service vessels sit offshore in the strait of Hormuz, off Bandar Abbas, Iran. Photograph: Razieh Poudat/APUS-Israel war on IranIran says ships being ‘guided’ by US through Hormuz must work with its armed forcesShipowners wary as Iran says it will attack any foreign military entering waterway under Trump plan Middle East crisis – live updates Julian Borger in JerusalemMon 4 May 2026 07.09 EDTLast modified on Mon 4 May 2026 07.36 EDTSharePrefer the Guardian on GoogleThe US has launched an operation to “guide” ships…
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