Oil tankers and cargo ships in the Strait of Hormuz [AP=Yonhap News photo]

On the 4th (local time), the U.S. military launched the so-called "Liberation Project" (Project Freedom) to free merchant ships stranded in the Strait of Hormuz due to Iran's blockade.

As a first step, it was announced that two U.S. merchant ships had safely passed through the Strait of Hormuz. While it is reported that the Liberation Project does not include U.S. warships escorting merchant ships, there are also observations that it will be difficult to practically resolve the congestion in the Strait of Hormuz, and the military tension in the strait has further heightened.

The U.S. Central Command announced via X on the same day, "U.S. Navy guided-missile destroyers have passed through the Strait of Hormuz to support the 'Liberation Project' and are currently operating in the Arabian Gulf."

The Central Command added, "The U.S. military is actively supporting the resumption of merchant ship traffic, and as a first step, two U.S. merchant ships have successfully passed through the Strait of Hormuz and are sailing safely."

There has been no official announcement regarding the specific operational methods of the Liberation Project, but it appears that it does not include escorts of merchant ships by U.S. warships.

The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) explained that the Liberation Project is a type of coordination mechanism, involving governments, insurance companies, and shipping organizations from various countries, and operates by sharing information on mine locations and the safest routes for navigation.

For this reason, there are also predictions that the Liberation Project may not significantly help resolve the congestion in the Strait of Hormuz. The role of the U.S. military also seems likely to be focused on identifying mine locations and safe navigation routes for the time being.

The U.S. is highlighting the achievements of the Liberation Project and emphasizing the role of the international community.

Scott Besant, U.S. Secretary of the Treasury, said in an interview with Fox News on the same day, "The United States is opening the Strait of Hormuz," and added, "We have complete control of the strait."

He emphasized, "Now is a good time for the international community to strengthen pressure on Iran."

It appears that while optimistic about resolving the congestion in Hormuz through the Liberation Project, they are urging countries to expand their roles.

With Iran showing no signs of cooperation with the Liberation Project, the tension in the Strait of Hormuz has further increased.

Earlier, Iranian media reported on the same day that one U.S. Navy escort ship attempting to pass through the Strait of Hormuz was hit by two Iranian missiles in the Gulf of Oman and retreated. The U.S. military immediately denied this.

The United Arab Emirates announced that one oil tanker belonging to the state-owned oil company ADNOC, which was passing through the Strait of Hormuz, was attacked by two Iranian drones.

U.S. President Donald Trump had announced the previous day that the 'Liberation Project' to help third-country ships stranded in the Strait of Hormuz safely depart would begin, and it would commence on the morning of that day, Middle East time.

The peace negotiations between the United States and Iran remain at an impasse. Iran delivered a revised peace proposal of 14 points to the United States, but President Trump stated in an interview with Israeli public broadcaster Kan that he "reviewed it but cannot accept it."

Iran also maintains that the U.S. demands are too excessive and unreasonable, making review difficult. It can be seen as a strategy by both sides to secure the most favorable position before engaging in face-to-face negotiations.