Strait of Hormuz shipping security: US says American-flagged ships transited under new initiative

Two American-flagged merchant ships passed through the Strait of Hormuz after the US military began a new effort to restart shipping traffic. The passage followed weeks of disruption that pushed up fuel prices worldwide. The move also came as Iran repeated threats against foreign forces near the waterway. The corridor links the Persian Gulf to global markets.

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The United Arab Emirates reported new security incidents around the strait. Authorities issued three missile alerts, the first since an early April ceasefire. The eastern emirate of Fujairah said an Iranian drone caused a fire at an oil facility. A British military monitoring centre also said a cargo ship was burning off the UAE coast.

Strait of Hormuz security alerts and ship incidents

South Korea said an explosion and fire broke out on a South Korean-operated ship. The vessel was anchored in the strait when the incident happened. The cause was not known, the South Korean government said. The UAE also accused Iran of targeting an oil tanker, as tensions rose around key shipping lanes.

The UAE said two drones hit a tanker linked to its main oil company during transit. No injuries were reported, and timing of the attack was not given. ADNOC Logistics & Services, an affiliate, said on X the ship carried no cargo. The company said the hit occurred off the coast of Oman.

Iran has effectively controlled the strait since the US and Israel began the war in late February. The disruption has shaken the global economy and lifted energy prices. Breaking that control could reduce economic fears and weaken Tehran’s leverage in talks. But the US push also raised the risk of wider conflict.

US moves for Strait of Hormuz transit under Project Freedom

The US military’s Central Command said the two American-flagged merchant ships continued safely after crossing the strait. It said Navy guided-missile destroyers in the Persian Gulf supported efforts to restore traffic. Central Command added on X that US destroyers also transited the waterway. It did not give specific timings.

The US-led Joint Maritime Information Center advised ships to cross within Oman’s waters. It said it created an enhanced security area and expected heavy traffic. It urged mariners to coordinate closely with Omani authorities. The centre also warned that routes near usual lanes were very dangerous due to mines.

Shipping firms and insurers still faced uncertainty. Iran has fired on ships in the past and said it would continue. Iran also said the US plan violated the ceasefire that has held for more than three weeks. Some crews earlier told The Associated Press they saw drones and missiles exploding overhead while supplies ran low.

Trump announced the plan on Sunday and said the US would guide ships out. Trump warned that Iranian efforts to block them will, unfortunately, have to be dealt with forcefully. Trump described Project Freedom as humanitarian help for stranded seafarers. Hundreds of ships have been stuck in the Persian Gulf since the war started.

Iran warnings over Strait of Hormuz and US response

Iran’s military command said on Monday that transiting ships must coordinate with Iranian forces. "We warn that any foreign military force - especially the aggressive US military - that intends to approach or enter the Strait of Hormuz will be targeted,\" Maj. Gen. Ali Abdollahi told state broadcaster IRIB. Iran’s IRNA news agency called the US effort part of Trump’s delirium.

Iran also claimed it struck a US Navy vessel near the strait, and the US rejected that. Iranian outlets, including Fars and ILNA, said Iran hit a US vessel near a port southeast of the waterway. The reports claimed the ship turned back after alleged violations. US Central Command said on X that no US Navy ships have been struck.

The US said it has enforced a naval blockade on Iranian ports since April 13. Central Command said the US told at least 49 commercial ships to turn back. US officials said the blockade cut Iranian oil revenue needed for the economy. The US also warned firms they could face sanctions for paying Iran for transit.

Diplomacy and Strait of Hormuz tensions linked to war talks

Iran’s latest proposal to end the war called for several steps, according to Nour News and Tasnim. Iran demanded the US lift sanctions, end the blockade, withdraw regional forces, and stop all hostilities. That included Israel’s operations in Lebanon, the reports said. Iran said it wanted an end to the war, not a longer ceasefire.

Iranian officials said they were reviewing the US response. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei told reporters on Monday that changing demands made diplomacy difficult. Baghaei did not share details. Iran also said its proposal did not cover the nuclear programme and enriched uranium, which have fuelled years of tensions.

The head of security at the Baltic and International Maritime Council said the industry lacked formal guidance on the US effort. Jakob Larsen questioned whether the approach could last. Jakob Larsen said the plan still carried a risk of hostilities resuming. The shipping disruption has already squeezed European and Asian buyers of Gulf oil and gas.

With security alerts continuing, the strait remained a key pressure point for the war and the economy. The US said guided crossings began, while Iran repeated threats and disputed US claims. The UAE reported drone and fire incidents near vital routes. Talks continued with limited progress, as both sides held firm on major demands.

With inputs from PTI