CENTCOM: U.S. Navy Has Not Restarted Project Freedom

The U.S. Navy has restarted its operation to assist commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz under the renewed Project Freedom, according to U.S. military officials speaking to the Wall Street Journal.

A Greek supertanker carrying approximately 2 million barrels of crude oil became the first vessel guided through the strategic waterway. The ship had been stuck in the Middle East Gulf since early March and is now heading to India.

Around a dozen additional vessels are expected to transit under U.S. naval protection in the coming days.

This marks a resumption of the initiative first launched in early May, which was paused after roughly 36 hours due to diplomatic efforts and regional concerns. The restart comes amid ongoing fragile ceasefire/diplomatic talks between the U.S. and Iran,

UPDATE:

U.S. CENTCOM:

🚫 Claim: Recent media reports allege the U.S. Navy resumed escorting or assisting commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz.

False.

✅ Fact: Project Freedom has not resumed, and U.S. forces are not currently escorting commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.