CENTCOM Launches Project Freedom as Two U.S.-Flagged Ships Transit the Strait of Hormuz

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said it launched Project Freedom on Monday, escorting two U.S.-flagged merchant vessels through the Strait of Hormuz. It marked the first U.S.-flagged transits since the waterway became effectively blocked more than two months ago. According to CENTCOM, the operation includes guided-missile destroyers, more than 100 land- and sea-based aircraft, multi-domain unmanned systems, and about 15,000 service members. The Wall Street Journal reported CENTCOM is also providing commercial shippers with intelligence on suspected Iranian mine locations. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps dismissed the U.S. assertions as "baseless." Tehran warned that any interference would breach the April 8 ceasefire, and the head of Iran's parliamentary National Security Commission wrote that the strait "would not be managed by Trump's delusional posts." Oil prices surged on the developments. Brent rose 5.95% to $114.61, while WTI gained 3.88% to $105.90. Bitcoin held above $80,000 despite the move in crude, briefly reaching $80,529 in Asia, its first print above $80,000 since Jan. 31. Former President Donald Trump said any "interference" would be met with "force."