US plans to guide stranded vessels through Strait of Hormuz
Updated
Updated · CNN · Apr 29
US plans to guide stranded vessels through Strait of Hormuz
7 articles · Updated · CNN · Apr 29
Traffic collapsed to 191 crossings in April from about 3,000 a month before the late-February war, while two US-flagged vessels transited on Monday, the US military said.
Kpler says flows are running at about 5% of pre-war levels, disrupting one-fifth of global oil trade and causing shortages of refined products, especially in Asia.
Most ships now use Iranian-designated routes near its coast despite a US blockade announced on 13 April, as Gulf producers cut output and analysts warn prolonged disruption could erase irreplaceable cargoes.
Can America's 'Project Freedom' reopen the world's oil artery without triggering a full-scale war with Iran?
As global supply chains collapse, which nations are secretly exploiting the Hormuz crisis for their own strategic gain?
With international law ignored, is Iran's 'toll booth' in the Strait of Hormuz the future of economic warfare?
Securing the Strait of Hormuz in 2026: Military Challenges, Diplomatic Deadlock, and Economic Fallout
Overview
In May 2026, U.S. CENTCOM launched Project Freedom to secure safe passage for commercial ships through the Strait of Hormuz, successfully escorting two U.S.-flagged vessels. In response, Iran intensified missile, drone, and naval mine attacks, prompting U.S. counterstrikes targeting Iran's military assets. These hostilities caused shipping traffic to plummet, driving war risk insurance premiums and global oil prices sharply higher. Diplomatic efforts led by Pakistan failed amid Iran's demands for control over the Strait and U.S. insistence on freedom of navigation. Key U.S. allies declined direct military involvement, while China and Russia blocked UN actions. The ongoing conflict pressures U.S. domestic politics and sets a precedent for regional powers to disrupt vital global chokepoints.