US CENTCOM Launches "Project Freedom" to Secure Strait of Hormuz
U.S. Central Command transitioned "Operation Epic Fury" into "Project Freedom" on May 4 to restore commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. On May 5, U.S. Navy destroyers USS Truxtun and USS Mason transited the strait, returning fire against Iranian fast boats and evading missile and drone threats. Admiral Brad Cooper confirmed the mission involves 15,000 service members and multi-domain unmanned platforms to counter ongoing Iranian maritime aggression.
Date: May 5, 2026
Location: Iran
Conflict: US-Iran Conflict
Category: naval
Severity: HIGH
Source: JINSA