TAMPA, Fla. — U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces successfully defended U.S. Navy warships against a barrage of Iranian missiles, drones, and small boats during a high-stakes transit of the Strait of Hormuz on May 7, marking a tense escalation in the ongoing Project Freedom operation.

The guided-missile destroyers USS Truxtun (DDG 103), USS Rafael Peralta (DDG 115), and USS Mason (DDG 87) navigated the vital international waterway into the Gulf of Oman without sustaining damage, according to a CENTCOM press release issued late Thursday. Iranian forces launched “multiple missiles, drones, and small boats” in what U.S. officials described as unprovoked attacks, prompting immediate defensive actions and targeted counterstrikes.

“U.S. forces intercepted inbound threats and targeted Iranian military facilities responsible for attacking U.S. forces, including missile and drone launch sites, command and control locations, and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance nodes,” CENTCOM stated. No U.S. assets were struck, and the command emphasized that it “does not seek escalation but remains positioned and ready to protect American forces.”

Project Freedom: Restoring Freedom of Navigation

Project Freedom, launched on May 4 under direct presidential orders, aims to restore freedom of navigation for commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz — a chokepoint responsible for a quarter of the world’s seaborne oil trade and significant volumes of fuel and fertilizers. The strait has been effectively blockaded by Iran since late February, following U.S. and Israeli military operations against Tehran, stranding over 2,000 vessels and disrupting global energy markets.

Initial successes included the safe transit of two U.S.-flagged merchant vessels earlier in the week, escorted by U.S. Navy destroyers. CENTCOM has reached out to dozens of shippers to encourage traffic flow, deploying guided-missile destroyers, over 100 land- and sea-based aircraft, multi-domain unmanned platforms, and 15,000 service members to support the mission.

Adm. Brad Cooper, CENTCOM commander, underscored the operation’s importance: “Our support for this defensive mission is essential to regional security and the global economy as we also maintain the naval blockade.”

Iranian Onslaught and U.S. Response

The May 7 incident echoed a prior transit by USS Truxtun and USS Mason, which dodged a similar “sustained barrage” of Iranian small boats, missiles, and drones, aided by Apache helicopters and other aircraft. Defense officials, speaking anonymously to CBS News, confirmed that defensive measures intercepted every threat, with no projectiles reaching the ships.

Iranian state media claimed a U.S. warship was hit, a assertion swiftly denied by CENTCOM. Tehran has warned that U.S. interference violates a fragile four-week ceasefire and vowed attacks on foreign forces in the strait. Earlier Monday, Iran launched missiles and drones at the United Arab Emirates and targeted an Abu Dhabi-owned oil tanker attempting transit.

In response, U.S. forces conducted self-defense strikes on Iranian sites, eliminating threats while avoiding broader escalation. This comes amid a U.S. naval blockade that has turned back over 40 ships and seized two Iran-linked vessels.

Global Implications and Industry Caution

The Strait’s closure has wreaked havoc on shipping. Iran demands vessels transit through its waters and pay a reported $2 million toll, rejecting international sea lanes. Major carriers like Hapag-Lloyd have suspended operations, citing unchanged high-risk assessments.

The U.S. Department of State, in partnership with the Department of War, launched the Maritime Freedom Construct to bolster diplomatic-military coordination with international partners. An enhanced security area has been established near Oman, per the Joint Maritime Information Center.

Industry experts express skepticism. BIMCO’s Jakob Larsen told Lloyd’s List that passages remain “high-risk,” while shipping insurers remain wary. Iran’s parliamentary national security commission head dismissed U.S. efforts as “Trump’s delusional posts,” signaling no quick resolution.

Broader Context of U.S.-Iran Standoff

Project Freedom unfolds against a stalemated conflict ignited on February 28. President Trump announced the initiative Sunday, promising U.S. warships and aircraft to “guide” neutral ships. Despite Iran’s blockade threats, CENTCOM reports active assistance in restoring commercial flow.

Questions linger on the operation’s scope — short of full escorts — and sustainability. With Iranian resistance and ceasefire fragility, each transit tests the delicate balance between deterrence and de-escalation.