U.S. “Project Freedom” Aims to Reopen Hormuz Strait — Experts Doubt It Will Work
CNBC reported Tuesday that the Trump administration’s newly launched “Project Freedom” operation claims early progress in reopening the Strait of Hormuz. Defense analysts, however, are far less optimistic about what it can actually deliver.
What Project Freedom Involves
President Donald Trump unveiled the initiative via a Truth Social post on Sunday. The plan calls for the U.S. military to escort commercial vessels through the strait, which has been disrupted by the ongoing war with Iran. U.S. Central Command said the deployment includes guided-missile destroyers, more than 100 aircraft, unmanned platforms, and roughly 15,000 service members.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Tuesday that two commercial ships had already transited safely under American destroyer escort. He described the result as an embarrassment for Iran, which had previously claimed control of the waterway. CENTCOM chief Adm. Brad Cooper added that dozens of shipping firms had been encouraged to resume operations, calling the initial response enthusiastic.
Why Analysts Remain Unconvinced
Experts who spoke with CNBC cast serious doubt on whether the mission solves anything fundamental. Jennifer Kavanagh, senior fellow and director of military analysis at Defense Priorities, said the operation does not address the core problem. Uncertainty over transit safety still leaves ship captains and companies unwilling to accept the risk, she argued. A permanent military presence would be necessary until a political resolution is reached, which she described as simply not feasible.
Jack Kennedy, head of Middle East and North Africa country risk at S&P Global Market Intelligence, characterized the mission as a limited deterrence experiment rather than a decisive solution. Analysts also warned that an increased U.S. presence could provoke greater Iranian aggression and potentially complicate any diplomatic path to normalcy.
Background: Why Hormuz Matters So Much
Before the current conflict, roughly 20% of global oil supply transited the Strait of Hormuz each day, making it the single most critical maritime chokepoint for energy markets. The strait is approximately 104 miles long and narrows to just 21 miles at its tightest point. Disruption there carries immediate consequences for crude prices, insurance premiums, and global supply chains. Even modest Iranian harassment is enough to keep insurance costs prohibitively high and deter most commercial operators from attempting the passage.
Scope and Duration Still Undefined
The administration has not disclosed a cost estimate or a specific end date for Project Freedom. Hegseth described it as “focused in scope and temporary in duration,” though no operational benchmarks have been set. A Maersk subsidiary vessel did complete the transit successfully under American escort, but analysts say one or two voyages fall well short of proof that commercial traffic can reliably flow again.
Read Next: What Rising Oil Prices Mean for Fed Policy in 2026
