What we know about Trump's 'Project Freedom' aimed to help stranded ships through Strait of Hormuz

The International Maritime Organisation estimates about 20,000 sailors and 2,000 ships have been stranded in the Gulf since the start of the war with Iran, highlighting humanitarian and operational pressures on crews and operators.

Markets show a quick price spike after Iran's claim of hitting a US warship and the US denial, though Brent crude remains broadly above $100 per barrel for the time being.

The UK Maritime Trade Operations Centre warns ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz of 'critical' security threats due to ongoing regional military operations, as well as potential mines or other threats along transit routes.

Centcom reports that US Navy guided-missile destroyers are operating in the Gulf after transiting the Strait of Hormuz, in support of Project Freedom. The statement reiterates efforts to restore transit for commercial shipping but provides no further details.

Centcom says that as a first step, two U.S.-flagged merchant vessels have transited through the Strait of Hormuz and are safely headed on their journeys; identities of the vessels are not disclosed.

Centcom states that Iranian claims of a US warship being hit by two missiles are false and reports no injuries; no details are provided about the incident or its location.

The Iranian military says that, with a firm and swift warning from the Islamic Republic Navy, the entry of American and Zionist enemy destroyers into the Strait of Hormuz was prevented.

US Central Command announces that guided-missile destroyers, over 100 land- and sea-based aircraft, multi-domain unmanned platforms, and 15,000 service members would be used to support the operation. The statement does not specify how these assets would assist vessels or whether a military escort would be provided.

Maj Gen Ali Abdollahi, head of Iran's central command, states that Iran would attack 'any foreign armed force' attempting to approach or enter the Strait of Hormuz and reiterates that the Strait is under Iranian control, with safe passage to be coordinated with Iran under all circumstances.

President Donald Trump posts on Truth Social announcing that the US will 'guide' ships stranded by Iran's closure of the Strait of Hormuz. He describes the vessels as 'neutral and innocent bystanders' and says countries 'from all over the World' requested US help to free ships 'locked up' in the Strait. He characterizes the effort as a humanitarian gesture and suggests it is undertaken on behalf of Iran as well, though the plan offers no detailed mechanism for how ships would sail out or be protected.