US Project Freedom is a defensive operation, Rubio says
Updated
Updated · The Wall Street Journal · May 5
US Project Freedom is a defensive operation, Rubio says
5 articles · Updated · The Wall Street Journal · May 5
From the White House, Rubio said it aims to guide trapped commercial ships out of the Strait of Hormuz and rescue nearly 23,000 civilians from 87 countries.
He said US forces would not fire unless fired upon first, framing the mission as the opening step to end what he called Iran's economic arson.
Rubio also said the US blockade was cutting Iran's revenue by up to $500 million a day and had halted 90% of the country's trade.
With dueling blockades crippling trade, whose economy will collapse first in the U.S.-Iran standoff?
Can America's advanced navy defeat Iran's asymmetric 'mosquito fleet' in the narrow Strait of Hormuz?
Is 'Project Freedom' a genuine rescue mission or a calculated prelude to a wider regional war?
Strait of Hormuz Blockade in May 2026: Impact on 3,200 Trapped Vessels and Global Oil Prices Surging Above $114
Overview
In May 2026, the U.S. launched Project Freedom to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for global oil supply, after Iran closed it in response to a U.S.-Israeli military campaign. Iran's blockade, enforced through threats, attacks, and mining, trapped over 1,500 vessels and caused severe global economic disruption, including soaring oil prices and damaged regional energy infrastructure. The U.S. military escorts commercial ships and uses preemptive strikes to counter Iranian attacks, but the narrow strait and Iran's asymmetric tactics complicate operations. Diplomatic efforts remain fragile amid regional escalations, with the risk of rapid conflict escalation threatening broader global stability and humanitarian supply chains.