The situation in the Persian Gulf is evolving into a veritible hell following President Donald Trump’s "Operation Freedom" plan and the new maps issued by the Revolutionary Guards for the Strait of Hormuz, warning that only ships coordinating with them will be safe. Reports indicate that the Iranians have struck a US Navy vessel with two missiles.
According to information from the Fars agency—and as broadcast by Al Jazeera—the attack took place near Jask island, after the Americans reportedly ignored Iranian warnings to stop... No further details regarding the attack have been released so far.
However, according to Axios, a senior US official denied that a US warship was hit by the IRGC... Earlier, the Iranian military also announced that its forces stopped US warships from entering the Strait of Hormuz... "with a strict and direct warning."
In any case, if reports that a US Navy ship was hit are confirmed, it would represent another major humiliation for the American president, who only hours earlier had announced his "Operation Freedom" plan, aiming to send a message... that he can guarantee the safety of ships wishing to pass through the Strait of Hormuz. It is clear that we are on the brink of an unprecedented military escalation...
Fars: Revolutionary Guards struck US frigate with 2 missiles
The Iranian news agency Fars, citing local sources, reports that two missiles struck a US Navy frigate near Jask island after it ignored warnings from the Revolutionary Guards to halt. According to Fars, as a result of these strikes, the American frigate was unable to continue its course and was forced to turn back and exit the area.
The alleged attack follows the statement by US President Donald Trump that the US would launch "Project Freedom" to "guide" trapped ships out of the Strait of Hormuz. CENTCOM reported that it would support the operation with 15,000 troops, more than 100 land and sea aircraft, as well as warships and drones. It is clear that the attack against the American ship constitutes... a humiliation for President Trump.
Axios: US denies its ship was hit
A senior US official denied the report that a US warship was hit by Iranian missiles near the Strait of Hormuz, according to Axios. Furthermore, CENTCOM, the US central command in the region, announced that no US warship has been hit...
"US forces are supporting Operation Freedom and enforcing the naval blockade on Iranian ports," the CENTCOM statement reads.
Iran: We stopped US ships before they entered the Strait of Hormuz
The Iranian military announced that its naval forces prevented American and Israeli destroyers from entering the Strait of Hormuz "with a strict and direct warning." "More information will be announced later," stated a brief announcement broadcast by the Iranian news agency Tasnim.
Ali Abdollahi (Iranian military): We control Hormuz; Americans will be struck if they enter the Strait
The Armed Forces of Iran continue to control the Strait of Hormuz and call upon all vessels to refrain from transit without consultation with Tehran. This was stated by the commander of the Iranian forces' central headquarters "Khatam-al-Anbiya," Ali Abdollahi.
"We are making every possible effort to ensure the security of the Strait of Hormuz and we are controlling the situation. We call upon all commercial vessels and oil tankers to refrain from any transit action without coordination with the armed forces located in the Strait of Hormuz, so as not to jeopardize their safety," Abdollahi argued, as broadcast by Iranian state television.
Abdollahi warned that any foreign armed forces, particularly the US military, will be struck if they attempt to approach or enter the Strait of Hormuz.
Revolutionary Guards: New map in Hormuz – Ships coordinating with us are safe
The Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) issued a new map of the Strait of Hormuz. The IRGC published a new map of the areas in the Strait of Hormuz under the control of its navy, according to the Fars news agency.
According to the Iranian agency Tasnim, the IRGC announced the new maritime control zone in the Strait of Hormuz. The area begins in the west with a line between the westernmost tip of Iran's Qeshm island and the emirate of Umm al-Quwain in the UAE.
To the east, the area reaches a line between Mount Mobarak in Iran and the emirate of Fujairah in the UAE. It is not immediately clear to what extent the claimed area of control has changed.
Sardar Mohebbi (IRGC): Ships coordinating their transit in the Strait of Hormuz are safe
Sardar Mohebbi, a spokesperson for Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), stated that any ships violating "the Strait of Hormuz management process" imposed by Tehran "will be stopped by force." "There has been no change in the management process of the Strait of Hormuz."
"Any maritime movement of civilian and commercial vessels that complies with the transit protocols issued by the IRGC Navy and takes place through the designated route with coordination will be safe," he stated in a declaration broadcast by the Fars news agency.
"Other maritime movements contrary to the principles announced by the IRGC Navy will face serious risks. Vessels violating the rules will be stopped by force," he added. "It is necessary for all shipping companies and transport insurance companies to pay attention to the IRGC's announcements," Sardar Mohebbi concluded.
Baghaei (Iranian MFA): The US cannot speak to Iran with the language of force – The EU must see what blind obedience means
The spokesperson for the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Esmail Baghaei, argued that the US must have learned it cannot speak to Iran with the language of force. Regarding claims of American security operations in the Strait of Hormuz, he stated that Iran is ready to respond and knows how to defend its national interests.
He emphasized that the world does not accept the "humanitarian" claims of the US and that the country cannot escape its "self-made trap" by repeating past mistakes. He underscored that the US must have learned it cannot speak to Iran with threats.
As he stated, Iran considers itself the guarantor of security in the Strait of Hormuz, which was safe for navigation before the war. The international community must hold the US accountable for destabilizing the region, emphasized Baghaei.
Referring to Abbas Araghchi's trip to Pakistan, Oman, and Russia, he stated that Iran and Oman, as coastal countries, must create a mechanism for safe navigation. Baghaei stated that Iran received the US response through Pakistan but gave no details, noting that excessive US demands continue and their positions shift constantly.
He added that media reports regarding the nuclear program are largely speculation. Currently, Iran is not discussing anything beyond a complete cessation of the war. As he said, the problem remains due to the US stance, which has blocked progress in negotiations.
Regarding the reduction of the US military in Europe, Baghaei said that the "illegal and reckless" action against Iran had wide-ranging consequences, including a rift between former allies. As he stated, US allies in the region know that the war against Iran is not legal but constitutes a "unilateral action" that violates international law.
Baghaei stated that all countries participating directly or indirectly in the war are "responsible." He mentioned that what bothered the US was Germany’s admission regarding the cost of the war in Europe, while he also condemned countries that actively participated on the side of the US, emphasizing that Europe must see the results of "blind obedience."
Axios: Trump is bored with the stalemate and wants... action
President Donald Trump had grown tired of the "no deal, no war" stalemate with Iran, according to a report by Axios, which points out that the "Operation Freedom" he ordered to change this dynamic could ultimately lead back to war.
"The president wants action. He doesn't want to stay idle. He wants pressure. He wants a deal," a senior US official told Axios. As reported, Trump was presented last Thursday night with a plan to send naval forces through the Strait of Hormuz to open it by force. At the last moment, he chose a more cautious approach—at least initially.
From today, Monday 5/4, the US Navy will assist US-flagged ships and other commercial vessels in crossing the strait, providing guidance to avoid mines and remaining ready to intervene if Iran attacks.
According to Axios, US officials say there is currently no plan for a full naval escort; instead, warships will be "in the area" and on standby, along with military aircraft. Military support for "Operation Freedom" will include guided-missile destroyers, drones, more than 100 aircraft, and 15,000 troops, according to CENTCOM.
A source close to the president described the situation as "the beginning of a process that may lead to confrontation with the Iranians." The "humanitarian" mission to free trapped ships means that "if the Iranians do something, they will be the bad guys and we will have the legitimacy to act," argued the same source.
Full-scale war and... back-channel diplomacy
The commander of CENTCOM, Admiral Brad Cooper, presented Trump with a more ambitious plan to send naval forces through the strait. According to an official, the US would neutralize Iranian missiles or speedboats and restart full-scale war if Tehran escalated by attacking Gulf countries.
The current version carries a lower direct risk of escalation but may maintain the stalemate. According to Axios, diplomacy has not completely frozen. Trump's envoys, Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, continue to exchange proposals with Iran's Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi.
"There are talks. There are proposals. We don't like theirs. They don't like ours. We don't yet know the status of the supreme leader… and they relay hand-written messages in caves or wherever he is hiding. This slows down the process," stated a senior US official.
Witkoff advises continuing negotiations, appearing more optimistic, while other officials are more pessimistic. "Either we are close to a real, feasible deal soon, or he will bomb them relentlessly," the official concluded.
Axios: US Operation Freedom in Hormuz does not require mandatory escort
Operation Freedom, which Trump announced, does not require US Navy ships to accompany commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. Specifically, warships will not escort the commercial ships.
"The new initiative for the Straits of Hormuz will not necessarily include US Navy escorts for commercial vessels." Additionally, the Navy will provide sailors with information regarding the safest maritime routes through the strait.
Wall Street Journal: Trump plan does not include military ship escort
The Wall Street Journal argues that Donald Trump’s action with Operation Freedom for the Straits of Hormuz does not include military ship escort. The report, citing a US official, claimed that Trump’s plan is a mechanism allowing countries, insurance companies, and shipping companies to coordinate navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.
According to the US official, Trump's plan currently does not include the escort of commercial ships by US warships during their transit through Hormuz. In the same context, 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-planned," it could lead to "disaster," argues Harlan Ullman, a former US Navy officer. As he said, the risks of Donald Trump’s "Operation Freedom" are significant and could lead to dangerous escalation if Iran chooses to resist.
"Iran possesses vast quantities of drones and small vessels 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 will have no choice but to retaliate," Ullman pointed out.
He expressed hope that Trump’s announcement signals a diplomatic "breakthrough" made in coordination with Iran and mediators in talks between the two countries. "I hope that Pakistan, Oman, or Saudi Arabia have played a decisive role in some kind of preliminary negotiation to allow this to happen," said Ullman.
Ullman stated that success ultimately requires diplomacy. "The only solution to this crisis is the re-opening of the strait, followed by a long diplomatic negotiation with Iran to address its nuclear ambitions."
"If this mission is a well-thought-out first step, kudos to the Trump administration. But if it has been designed sloppily and leads to escalation, it could be catastrophic. Negotiation, not bombing, is the only way to solve this without disrupting the international economic order," pointed out the former US Navy officer.
CENTCOM: The US will deploy 15,000 troops in Operation Freedom in Hormuz alongside destroyers
The United States will deploy destroyers, aircraft, and 15,000 troops as part of Operation Freedom to ensure the transit of ships through the Strait of Hormuz, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced.
"US military support for Project Freedom will include guided-missile destroyers, more than 100 land and sea aircraft, multi-domain unmanned platforms, and 15,000 military personnel," CENTCOM stated in a release.
The operation will be led by the State Department and the US Central Command, as part of the Maritime Freedom Coalition (MFC). US President Trump announced Operation Freedom, a plan to free ships trapped in the Strait of Hormuz.
Operation Freedom will 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 transit of ships through the Strait of Hormuz as a violation of the ceasefire.
The previous day, Bloomberg reported, citing data from ship-tracking sources, 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 against the Islamic Republic.
The US president called Iran's new proposal for resolving the conflict "unacceptable." Earlier, Al Jazeera reported that Iran proposed a 3-phase plan for long-term peace, the first of which would involve a total cessation of hostilities within 30 days and a non-aggression pact.
Last week, the Americans unilaterally extended the ceasefire until the completion of dialogue to resolve the problem. The ceasefire was originally scheduled to last two weeks, as announced by both parties to the conflict on April 8.
The escalation around Iran has led to the effective blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for the supply of oil and liquefied natural gas from Persian Gulf countries to global markets, and has affected oil exports and production. The blockade has led to an increase in fuel prices and industrial products in most countries worldwide.
Unanswered questions about Operation Freedom
The US plan to "guide" ships through the Strait of Hormuz, announced by President Donald Trump hours before it was implemented, leaves many unanswered questions. US Central Command stated in a post on X that the operation, named Project Freedom, will include guided-missile destroyers, over 100 land and sea aircraft, as well as multi-domain unmanned platforms.
However, it has not been clarified how these assets will contribute to the resumption of commercial ship transit through the strait.
Strengthening... security
According to CNN, Jennifer Parker from the Lowy Institute estimated that the US military will likely increase its presence in the region to bolster the sense of security for commercial ships. As she stated, it is more of an operation to change the situation in the strait so that ships "feel safe," rather than direct protection for specific vessels.
The mission could include US warships and aircraft monitoring the area, capable of identifying and neutralizing threats, such as small vessels. At the same time, it is considered unlikely that a convoy escort system will be implemented, where warships closely escort commercial ships, due to the constraints of the strait and the risks involved.
Naval battle scenario...
To obstruct the operation, Iran would have to clash directly with the US Navy—something that hasn't happened so far. Parker noted that this strategy "forces Iran to escalate," as it would have to attack US warships.
Trump's announcement provoked an immediate reaction from Tehran, with Ebrahim Azizi warning that any American intervention in the strait will be considered a violation of the ceasefire. Trump had stated that any "interference" from Iran will be met with "force."
Reservations from shipping executives
However, shipping executives appear cautious about whether the plan reduces risk. Bjørn Højgaard, CEO of Anglo-Eastern, emphasized that cooperation from both sides is required to restore transit.
So far, Washington has avoided bringing warships close to the Iranian coast due to the threat from missiles and small attack craft. The strait is particularly narrow (about 24 miles at its narrowest point), while tankers move in channels of just 2 miles, making both boarding operations and escorts difficult.
Iranian forces capable of threatening such operations are dispersed and mobile, with the ability to use drones, missiles, and mines. Collin Koh from Singapore questioned whether it is feasible to neutralize all these threats.
Inadequacy of assets
At the same time, the issue of adequacy of assets is raised: the US appears not to have enough destroyers in the area for escort operations. For comparison, during the so-called Tanker War in the 1980s (Operation Earnest Will), multiple warships were required to escort only a few tankers.
Today, the number of available ships does not seem sufficient for a similar large-scale operation. Thus, according to analysts, US strategy focuses more on presence and deterrence than on direct ship escort.
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