Washington: Two U.S. commercial ships have successfully passed through the Strait of Hormuz, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said Monday, as it is supporting an operation to restore freedom of navigation through the crucial waterway.
According to Yonhap News Agency, CENTCOM made the announcement in a social media post, following President Donald Trump's statement that on Monday, "Middle East time," the U.S. would initiate "Project Freedom," a mission to guide ships stranded by the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran out of the restricted strait.
"U.S. Navy guided-missile destroyers are currently operating in the Arabian Gulf after transiting the Strait of Hormuz in support of Project Freedom," CENTCOM wrote on X. They further added that American forces are actively assisting efforts to restore transit for commercial shipping. As a first step, two U.S.-flagged merchant vessels have successfully transited through the Strait of Hormuz and are safely continuing their journey.
Earlier in the day, Iranian state media claimed that a U.S. warship was struck by missiles from Iran, but CENTCOM denied it. "No U.S. Navy ships have been struck. U.S. forces are supporting Project Freedom and enforcing the naval blockade on Iranian ports," CENTCOM stated in a separate post on X.