US launches Project Freedom in Hormuz; sinks Iranian boats, escorts two ships

Monday, May 4, 2026Developing

Politics Desk

What we know

President Donald Trump's "Project Freedom" mission to guide stranded commercial ships through the Strait of Hormuz began Monday, with U.S. Central Command saying guided-missile destroyers, more than 100 aircraft and about 15,000 service members were supporting the effort while the U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports stayed in force, AP, Reuters, NPR, BBC, CNN, NBC and CBS reported.

Adm. Brad Cooper said American forces opened a mine-free passage, two U.S.-flagged merchant ships transited safely, and U.S. helicopters sank six Iranian small boats after Iran launched cruise missiles, drones and boats at vessels under U.S. protection. CENTCOM denied Iranian media claims that a U.S. warship was struck. Maersk said its U.S.-flagged Alliance Fairfax exited with U.S. military accompaniment.

What's confirmed

AP/Reuters: CENTCOM sank six Iranian small boats and defeated Iranian cruise-missile and drone attacks on ships under Project Freedom protection (AP, Reuters).
NPR/BBC/CNN: Two U.S.-flagged merchant vessels successfully transited Hormuz on day one; CENTCOM denied any U.S. Navy ship was hit (NPR, BBC, CNN).
NBC/CBS: Mission includes destroyers, 100-plus aircraft and 15,000 personnel; Trump framed escorts as aid for neutral shipping stuck since February (NBC, CBS).
Guardian/Al Jazeera: Iran warned foreign forces approaching Hormuz would be attacked; Foreign Minister Araghchi called Project Freedom "Project Deadlock" (Guardian, Al Jazeera).

What's still developing

Whether the April ceasefire holds amid Monday's exchanges and how many more commercial ships attempt transit.
Iran's formal reply to the U.S. end-of-war proposal and any Hormuz authorization terms.
Insurance and shipping industry willingness to use the U.S.-declared lane.

Sources

AP — US vies with Iran for Strait of Hormuz as UAE comes under attack link
Reuters — US and Iran launch new attacks as they wrestle for control of Gulf waters link
NPR — Ceasefire at risk as U.S. helps ships run Iran blockade link
BBC — US denies Iranian report warship was struck by missiles link
CNN — Fragile US-Iran ceasefire tested as Trump orders military to guide ships through Hormuz link
NBC — U.S. launches mission to guide ships through the Strait of Hormuz; Iran threatens attacks link
CBS — U.S. sinks Iranian boats as Iran launches attacks on UAE and ships in Hormuz link
CENTCOM — U.S. Military Supports Launch of Project Freedom in Strait of Hormuz link
Guardian — Iran war live: UAE under attack as US launches Hormuz operation link