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US Launches 'Operation Project Freedom' to Break Strait of Hormuz Deadlock as Iran War Enters Third Month

With ceasefire talks stalled, oil prices soaring, and a congressional war-powers deadline passed, the US is preparing a naval escort mission through the Strait of Hormuz while Iran threatens to attack any foreign warships in the waterway.

A War With No End in Sight

What began on February 28, 2026, as a coordinated US-Israeli military campaign codenamed Operation Epic Fury — targeting Iran’s nuclear facilities, air defenses, and missile infrastructure — has settled into an uneasy stalemate. A ceasefire announced on April 7 has held militarily, but the economic war has only intensified, and the path to a genuine peace deal looks increasingly uncertain.

Now, as the conflict enters its third month, a new front has opened: the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow waterway through which roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil supply transits daily.

The Hormuz Chokepoint

Iran has effectively shut down ship traffic through the strait, while the US has responded with a naval blockade of Iranian ports — a “genius” move, according to President Trump, who has boasted that Iran’s economy is “really in trouble” and its oil infrastructure is set to “explode” from the blockade’s pressure.

Experts, however, say Iran has weeks or even months before its oil storage backups become intolerable. That timeline may be longer than Trump — whose economic approval ratings have sunk to new lows — is willing to tolerate.

On May 4, the US announced Operation Project Freedom, a plan to escort commercial vessels through the strait. Iran’s military responded by threatening to attack any “foreign armed forces” entering the waterway. The UN Secretary-General has urged both sides to “open the strait and let the world economy breathe.”

The result: oil prices have soared past $125 per barrel, sending shockwaves through global markets and squeezing consumers worldwide.

The 60-Day Deadline That Came and Went

Under the 1973 War Powers Resolution, Trump was required to either obtain congressional authorization or withdraw US forces within 60 days of notifying Congress. That deadline — May 1 — has now passed.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has argued that the ceasefire “pauses or stops” the statutory countdown, a reading that Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA) flatly rejected. Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) called the deadline “not a suggestion; it is a requirement.”

Trump reportedly told Congress that hostilities “have terminated,” a legal maneuver designed to reset the clock — even as his administration simultaneously briefs on plans for renewed strikes. Multiple Democratic-led war powers resolutions have failed in Congress, though a growing number of Republicans are expressing discomfort with the open-ended conflict.

Iran’s 14-Point Peace Plan — and Trump’s Rejection

Iran has put forward a 14-point peace proposal that calls for:

  • A complete end to the war within 30 days
  • The lifting of all US sanctions
  • An end to the US naval blockade

Trump has said he “can’t imagine” accepting those terms, calling the proposal a non-starter and warning that renewed military strikes remain “a possibility.” Iran’s IRGC has responded by warning that the conflict may resume at any time, claiming it is “fully prepared.”

CENTCOM has reportedly prepared plans for a “short and powerful” wave of strikes intended to force Iran’s hand, including potential special forces operations to secure Iran’s supply of highly enriched uranium.

The Broader Fallout

The conflict has spread beyond the US-Iran bilateral:

  • Israel and Hezbollah are exchanging attacks in Lebanon, with Israel saying it will “take time” to counter Hezbollah’s drone threat. Lebanese and US generals are discussing a separate ceasefire in Beirut.
  • At least 16 US military sites in the Middle East have been damaged by Iranian strikes — the majority of American positions in the region, according to a CNN investigation.
  • Protests have erupted in Israel against the war, with demonstrators declaring “we’re addicted to war.”
  • Iran has been accused of recruiting online for attacks against UK Jews, adding a troubling cyber-and-diaspora dimension to the conflict.

What Comes Next

Three scenarios dominate analysis:

  1. Escalation: The US resumes military strikes, potentially targeting Iran’s nuclear program directly. Iran retaliates with ballistic missiles and proxy attacks across the region.
  2. Economic attrition: The blockade-and-chokepoint strategy continues until one side’s economy buckles. Early signs suggest both have staying power — meaning months of elevated oil prices.
  3. Negotiated settlement: A compromise deal emerges, likely requiring US sanctions relief in exchange for verifiable nuclear concessions. Neither side has shown willingness to move first.

The world is watching the Strait of Hormuz. What happens there in the coming weeks may determine whether this regional war spirals further — or finally ends.

Sources