Leading figures in the global shipping industry have expressed caution over the United States' newly launched 'Project Freedom', aimed at ensuring safe passage for neutral vessels through the Strait of Hormuz. The initiative began on Monday and includes missile destroyers, over a hundred aircraft, and 15,000 troops. US Central Command chief Brad Cooper described the mission as essential for regional security and the global economy, while confirming that the existing naval blockade would remain in place.

Bjorn Hojgaard, CEO of Anglo-Eastern, said that resolving the strait’s blockade requires agreement from all sides, warning that unilateral decisions would not change the situation at sea. Richard Hext, chairman of the Hong Kong Shipowners Association, cited Iran’s parliamentary security commission as saying Tehran views the US move as a violation of the ceasefire, urging caution among shipowners.

A US official told CNN that the operation is not an escort mission, and details about its implementation and beneficiary countries remain unclear.