Strait of Hormuz standoff: Can Trump’s ship escort plan work?

Published 04 May, 2026 10:07am 2 min read
Reuters
Reuters

US President Donald Trump’s plan to escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz, part of “Project Freedom,” faces significant logistical and geopolitical hurdles.

Iranian authorities opposed the US move and described it as a violation of the ceasefire, raising tensions.

According to experts, the US navy only has about 12 vessels capable of defending the ships stranded in the Strait.

With over 100 transits per day before the conflict, the navy’s limited resources make large-scale escorts unfeasible.

Experts said that the Iranian marine forces recently laid sea mines, which pose a serious threat to ships passing through the strait.

They added that in the absence of dedicated mine-sweeping vessels, any move to reopen the strait comes with extreme dangers.

Another question posed by experts is whether Iran will allow US warships to operate in the region.

The experts pointed out Iran’s fast-attack boats, which pose a persistent threat to any vessels trying to transit through the strait.

Defence experts argue that the operation could be effective only if Iran does not oppose it.

If Tehran cooperates, the plan could ease global energy pressures. However, if Iran resists, the situation could quickly escalate, further destabilising the region and disrupting oil shipments.

Meanwhile, political commentators criticised what they say changing stance by the US in its war against Iran.

They said that the Iran war started as a mission to dismantle Tehran’s nuclear and missile programmes, but now its focus has been shifted toward securing the Strait of Hormuz and ensuring global oil flow.

While ‘Project Freedom’ aims to alleviate global shipping disruptions, its success hinges on military resources and Iran’s cooperation.

If Iran opposes the operation, the US could quickly run out of assets, and the risks for both the US and shipping companies would rise dramatically.

For the latest news, follow us on Twitter @Aaj_Urdu. We are also on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.