Naval Clashes Erupt as U.S. Attempts to Reopen Strait of Hormuz Amid Fragile Ceasefire
U.S. naval forces engaged Iranian boats while attempting to guide commercial ships through the Strait of Hormuz, threatening a three-week ceasefire.
Naval skirmishes broke out Monday as the United States began efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to commercial shipping, placing a fragile three-week ceasefire with Iran in jeopardy. The U.S. military reported sinking six small Iranian boats that were targeting civilian vessels, while Iran launched missiles and drones at ships under U.S. protection.
The operation, dubbed "Project Freedom" by President Trump, aims to free hundreds of stranded commercial ships representing 87 countries that have been trapped in the strait since the conflict began over two months ago. The vessels carry critical supplies including oil, gas, and fertilizer. Iran had effectively closed the waterway by attacking some ships and requiring others to pay a toll for passage.
The United Arab Emirates reported coming under attack for the first time since the April ceasefire began, with British military monitors confirming two cargo vessels were on fire off the UAE coast. Admiral Brad Cooper, head of U.S. Central Command, said Iran initiated the "aggressive behavior" but declined to confirm whether the ceasefire had ended.
Iran's military command warned that any foreign military force attempting to enter the strait would be targeted, calling ships must still coordinate transit through Tehran. Iranian state media described Trump's reopening plan as part of his "delirium" and claimed Iranian forces struck a U.S. vessel, which the U.S. military denied.
Shipping industry officials expressed skepticism about the operation's effectiveness and sustainability. The Baltic and International Maritime Council noted no formal guidance had been provided to the industry, while the Joint Maritime Information Center warned of continued critical threat levels and the presence of mines in the waterway.
The U.S. has deployed guided-missile destroyers, over 100 aircraft, and 15,000 service members to the operation, though only two U.S.-flagged merchant ships had successfully transited by Monday. Oil prices rose amid continued uncertainty over the strait's status and the broader conflict.