Hormuz flashpoint, US intercepts drones as Iran challenges mission

US forces said they repelled Iranian missiles, drones and boats during Project Freedom in the Strait of Hormuz. The operation seeks to restart commercial shipping, though Iran has disputed the US account.

In Short

• Admiral Brad Cooper said all missiles, drones and boats were neutralised
• Around 15,000 US troops backed the mission with aircraft and destroyers
• US forces used electronic warfare and mine-clearing in a layered defence

The United States military said it destroyed six Iranian small boatsand intercepted multiple cruise missiles and drones as Iran attemptedto disrupt a new naval initiative aimed at reopening the Strait ofHormuz.

The operation, named“Project Freedom,” was launched on Monday under orders from USPresident Donald Trump to restore shipping through the strategicwaterway, which Iran had effectively shut following the escalation ofconflict involving the US and Israel on February 28.

According toReuters, the US Admiral Brad Cooper, head of Central Command,confirmed that Iranian forces, including the Islamic RevolutionaryGuard Corps (IRGC), had launched coordinated attacks involvingmissiles, drones, and fast boats targeting vessels under USprotection. He said all threats were neutralised.

“The IRGC haslaunched multiple cruise missiles, drones and small boats at ships weare protecting. We have defeated each and every one of those threatsthrough the clinical application of defensive munitions,” Coopersaid.

The operationinvolves around 15,000 US troops, supported by Navy destroyers, over100 aircraft, helicopters, and undersea assets. US forces have alsodeployed electronic warfare systems as part of a multi-layereddefence strategy.

Cooper warnedIranian forces to stay clear of US assets, adding that commanders onthe ground have full authority to defend both military units andcommercial shipping.

In a keydevelopment, the US said it had successfully cleared parts of thestrait of Iranian mines and demonstrated safe passage by escortingtwo US-flagged commercial ships through the corridor.

However, Irandisputed these claims. The Revolutionary Guards said no commercialvessels had crossed the strait in recent hours, calling US assertionsfalse. Iranian state media also denied reports that its boats hadbeen destroyed.

Meanwhile, a SouthKorean vessel was hit by an explosion in the strait, though it wasnot part of the US operation. Trump suggested such ships shouldconsider joining US-led protection efforts.

The Strait ofHormuz, a critical global energy route that previously carried about20 percent of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas, has seensevere disruption since the conflict began. The US move is aimed atrestoring stability and ensuring the flow of international energysupplies.

Cooper said USforces are actively engaging with global shipping operators,encouraging them to resume transit through the passage. He noted apositive response from the industry, with initial signs of movementalready emerging.

According toshipping data, over 800 commercial vessels remain stranded in theGulf due to ongoing tensions and security risks.

In parallel, the USconfirmed that its blockade of Iran remains in place, restrictingmaritime access to and from Iranian territory, with officials sayingthe measure is performing beyond expectations.

- Ends