US Military Coordinates Safe Passage for Dozens of Commercial Vessels Through Strait of Hormuz Amid Iran Tensions

Washington, D.C. – The U.S. military has quietly coordinated the safe transit of approximately 70 commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz over the past three weeks, providing a critical alternative for shippers avoiding Iranian interference in the vital waterway.

U.S. Central Command has facilitated these movements without direct naval escorts in most cases, focusing instead on guidance, communication, and routing ships closer to Omani waters and farther from Iranian-controlled areas. Many vessels operated with transponders turned off to minimize detection risks.

The Strait of Hormuz, which handles roughly one-fifth of global oil supplies, has seen sharply reduced traffic since Iran escalated threats and actions following U.S.-Israeli strikes beginning in late February 2026. Daily crossings have dropped from over 100 vessels to single digits in recent periods.

President Donald Trump previously announced “Project Freedom” to support commercial shipping through the strait. While the initiative was scaled back and paused at times for diplomatic efforts, behind-the-scenes coordination has continued to help vessels avoid Iranian demands for permission or fees.

CENTCOM spokesman Capt. Tim Hawkins stated: “Though U.S. forces are not escorting, we continue to communicate and coordinate with commercial ships seeking to freely and safely transit the Strait of Hormuz, a critical international corridor for regional and global economies.”

The effort aligns with broader U.S. actions, including a naval blockade targeting ships linked to Iranian ports. Since mid-April, U.S. forces have redirected over 100 vessels, restricting Iran’s oil exports.

This assistance comes as negotiations with Iran remain stalled, with the Trump administration maintaining pressure to secure safe, unrestricted navigation rights in the international waterway. U.S. officials reject Iran’s overstated claims of control over the strait.

The coordinated passages demonstrate ongoing U.S. commitment to freedom of navigation and economic stability despite heightened regional risks from Iranian drones, missiles, and small boat threats.