Washington, 05 May (H.S.):

The United States military has launched a decisive operation, designated Project Freedom, aimed at restoring unhindered maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. This strategic initiative comes in direct response to the effective blockade of the critical waterway by Iran, which followed the commencement of hostilities on February 28, 2026 .

Under the directive of President Donald Trump, U.S. Central Command has mobilized a substantial military force comprising approximately 15,000 personnel, U.S. Navy destroyers, extensive land- and sea-based aviation assets, and specialized undersea capabilities.

Admiral Brad Cooper, the head of U.S. Central Command, confirmed that the operation has successfully neutralized immediate threats, including the destruction of six Iranian small vessels and the interception of various cruise missiles and drones launched by Tehran .

The military posture represents a departure from traditional escort missions, utilizing a multi-layered defensive framework that integrates electronic warfare, advanced aircraft, and rapid-response units to protect commercial shipping.

While U.S. forces have actively engaged hostile assets—including the reported sinking of Iranian fast boats by Apache and Seahawk helicopters—the command has officially advised Iranian forces to maintain a distance from U.S. military assets to avoid escalation.

As the operation progresses, the U.S. military is proactively coordinating with international shipping entities to resume traffic flow. This surge in military activity is considered the most significant U.S. deployment in the region in recent decades, underscoring Washington's commitment to ensuring the stability of global energy supplies that historically relied on the strait for the passage of a significant portion of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar