Parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said on X that Tehran had "not even begun yet" as President Donald Trump's Project Freedom started on 4 May.
The US operation aims to use military escorts to guide stranded cargo ships through the waterway, but Iran's military central command has warned it would strike any US naval vessel approaching the strait.
Iran blockaded foreign shipping after the 28 February US-Israeli attack, and Trump imposed a counter-blockade on ships using Iranian ports on 13 April, deepening risks to energy transit and renewed war.
Can the US Navy's 'Project Freedom' truly protect 2,000 ships from Iran's asymmetric threats?
As warships face off in the Strait of Hormuz, can diplomacy prevent a full-scale war?
With 20% of global oil supply cut off, how much higher could prices at the pump climb?
May 2026 Strait of Hormuz Crisis: Project Freedom, Iran’s Blockade, and Global Energy Risks
Overview
The May 2026 escalation in the Strait of Hormuz began when the US launched Project Freedom to break Iran's blockade, prompting Iran to attack US Navy ships with missiles and drones. This conflict, rooted in decades of US-Iran tensions including the 1953 CIA-backed coup, the 1979 Islamic Revolution, and ongoing nuclear disputes, has severely disrupted global energy markets. Iran's blockade and attacks caused oil prices to surge above $100 per barrel, forced shipping to reroute around Africa, and increased fuel costs. Despite defensive interceptions by US and Gulf allies, the crisis remains fragile, with Pakistan mediating de-escalation talks amid deep mistrust and competing demands, highlighting the high stakes for regional stability and global commerce.