Story perspectives

US CENTCOM Directs 70 Vessels Through Hormuz, Launches Project Freedom

6/1/2026

Summary

Story summary

U.S. Central Command covertly coordinated 70 commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz in the past three weeks.
Most ships turned off transponders, preventing independent verification of crossing numbers.
President Donald Trump announced Project Freedom, a military initiative to aid commercial vessels.
Since mid-April, U.S. forces in the Gulf of Oman have redirected 116 vessels while CENTCOM spokesman Capt. Tim Hawkins said they coordinate with ships but give no escorts.

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Story summary

U.S. Central Command covertly coordinated 70 commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz in the past three weeks.
Most ships turned off transponders, preventing independent verification of crossing numbers.
President Donald Trump announced Project Freedom, a military initiative to aid commercial vessels.
Since mid-April, U.S. forces in the Gulf of Oman have redirected 116 vessels while CENTCOM spokesman Capt. Tim Hawkins said they coordinate with ships but give no escorts.