Project Freedom or Operation Freedom… in the Strait of Hormuz—launched on May 4, 2026, by the Americans to liberate Hormuz—represents a new field of tension and confrontation with Iran. Tehran warns the US fleet not to dare enter the Strait of Hormuz and accuses US President Trump of failing to open the waterway through "delusional posts." American sources report that the US Navy will not be escorting commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz. Nevertheless, the IRGC has warned the Americans to stay away from the area. It is noted that Iran has submitted a 14-point peace proposal to the US via Pakistani mediation, but Trump rejected it, subsequently sending a new draft in response to the Iranian plan.
There are serious disagreements regarding how each side perceives peace, but so far, the weapons have not been activated. It appears very unlikely that a new cycle of military operations and bloodshed will begin. However, problems in Hormuz persist; notably, an oil tanker was hit 78 nautical miles north of Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates. Meanwhile, Brent crude is trading at $114 per barrel.
Axios: US sent new draft in response to Iran's 14-point proposal
The US outlet Axios revealed that on May 3, the United States submitted another revised draft agreement to end the war. This action was taken in response to the previous 14-point proposal submitted by Iran. The report made no mention of the specific content of the US proposal or the modifications made to it. US President Trump previously stated: "I will soon review the plan Iran just sent us."
According to Reuters, Trump stated: "I have been briefed on the general details and implications of the deal with Iran, and I will soon have the exact and final text at my disposal." According to Tasnim, Iran submitted a response to the US 9-point proposal through a Pakistani mediator, focusing heavily on the issue of "ending the war."
The 14 points of Iran's proposal
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Ensuring non-aggression,
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Withdrawal of US military forces from Iran's periphery,
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Lifting the naval blockade in the Persian Gulf,
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Release of frozen Iranian assets,
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Payment of reparations for damages caused,
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Lifting of sanctions against Iran,
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Ending the war on all fronts, including Lebanon,
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A new mechanism for the Strait of Hormuz, etc. These are some of the issues included in Iran’s 14-point proposal. Iran is currently awaiting a formal US response to these suggestions.
Axios: US Operation Freedom in Hormuz does not require mandatory escort
Operation Freedom, announced by Trump, does not require US Navy ships to escort commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz. Specifically, warships will not be accompanying merchant ships. "The new initiative for the Strait of Hormuz will not necessarily include US Navy escorts for commercial ships," sources indicate. Furthermore, the Navy will provide mariners with information regarding the safest maritime routes through the strait.
Wall Street Journal: Trump plan does not include military ship escorts
The Wall Street Journal maintains that Donald Trump’s action with Operation Freedom for the Strait of Hormuz does not include a military escort for ships. The report, citing a US official, claimed that Trump's plan is a mechanism allowing countries, insurance companies, and shipping firms to coordinate navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.
According to the US official, the Trump plan currently does not involve warships escorting commercial vessels during their transit through Hormuz. In the same vein, CNN, citing a US official, emphasized that the "Operation Freedom" initiative is not an escort mission for ships passing through Hormuz.
Harlan Ullman (Former US Navy Officer): "Operation Freedom" could lead to… disaster
If Trump’s naval mission is "half-baked," it could lead to "disaster," argues Harlan Ullman, a former US Navy officer. As he noted, the risks of Donald Trump’s "Operation Freedom" are significant and could lead to a dangerous escalation if Iran chooses to resist.
"Iran possesses vast quantities of drones and small craft that could make this situation very, very difficult," Ullman told Al Jazeera. "I would not want to see a conflict where a US warship is hit, because then the Americans would have no choice but to retaliate," Ullman pointed out. He expressed hope that Trump’s announcement signals a diplomatic breakthrough coordinated with Iran and mediators. "Pakistan, Oman, or Saudi Arabia likely played a decisive role in some kind of preliminary negotiation," Ullman said. He concluded that success ultimately requires diplomacy: "Negotiation, not bombing, is the only way to solve this without disrupting the international economic order."
CENTCOM: US to deploy 15,000 troops in Operation Freedom in Hormuz along with destroyers
The United States will deploy destroyers, aircraft, and 15,000 troops as part of Operation Freedom to ensure the passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz, US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced. "US military support for Project Freedom will include guided-missile destroyers, more than 100 land and sea-based aircraft, multi-domain unmanned platforms, and 15,000 military personnel," CENTCOM stated.
The operation will be led by the Department of State and CENTCOM, within the framework of the Maritime Freedom Coalition (MFC). US President Trump announced Operation Freedom as a plan to release ships trapped in the Strait of Hormuz, scheduled to begin on the morning of Monday, May 4, 2026. The head of the Iranian Parliament's National Security and Foreign Policy Committee stated that Iran will consider any US interference in the passage of ships as a ceasefire violation.
Previously, Bloomberg reported that shipping in the Strait of Hormuz had almost completely stopped amid Trump’s refusal to accept Iran's peace plan and the possibility of new attacks. The US President called Iran's new proposal "unacceptable." Earlier, Al Jazeera reported that Iran proposed a 3-phase plan for long-term peace. Last week, the Americans unilaterally extended the ceasefire until the conclusion of the dialogue. The escalation has resulted in an effective blockade of Hormuz, affecting global oil supply and leading to increased fuel prices worldwide.
CENTCOM: Touska crew members are in Pakistan, will be repatriated to Iran
A spokesperson for US Central Command (CENTCOM) told ABC that the crew members of the M/V Touska, which was seized in the Gulf of Oman last month, have been moved to Pakistan for repatriation to Iran. "Today, US forces completed the transfer of 22 crew members of the M/V Touska to Pakistan for repatriation," said Tim Hawkins.
"Custody of the Touska is currently being transferred back to its original owner, after the ship was intercepted and seized while attempting to violate the US naval blockade against Iran last month," the US official added. The US seized the Iranian container ship on April 20, an operation Tehran labeled an act of "piracy." Six other passengers believed to be crew family members were transferred to an unnamed regional country for repatriation last week.
Ebrahim Azizi (Iran): Hormuz victim of Trump's delusional posts, violates ceasefire
Ebrahim Azizi, head of the Parliament's National Security Committee, responding to Trump’s claim regarding the movement to allow ships through the Strait of Hormuz, stated: "Warning! Any US intervention in the new maritime regime of the Strait of Hormuz will be considered a ceasefire violation."
"The Strait of Hormuz and the Persian Gulf will not be managed by Trump’s delusional posts! No one believes the accountability scenarios!" He claimed these measures would start on the morning of May 4, 2026. Elsewhere, Trump referred to negotiations between Iran and the United States, saying: "I am fully aware that our representatives are having very positive discussions with Iran. These discussions can lead to a very positive outcome for everyone."
Attack on oil tanker 78 nautical miles north of Fujairah
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) announced it received a report of an incident 78 nautical miles north of Fujairah, in the United Arab Emirates. The agency added: An oil tanker reported being hit by "unknown projectiles," but all crew members are in good condition.
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