The United States is set to begin “Project Freedom”, a military-backed operation to restore commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has, however, issued a direct response to the initiative,

The U.S. plans to deploy forces to aid ships while Iran asserts control and warns of strikes if troops enter the waterway.

U.S. Central Command said Navy missile destroyers were operating as part of an effort to free ships stranded in the critical trade route.

The U.S. military says two commercial ships transited the Strait of Hormuz under Project Freedom, but the UAE says one of its vessels came under attack.