© 
The United States is preparing to launch an operation known as «Freedom», aimed at securing maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. According to a statement released by US Central Command (CENTCOM), the mission will involve a large-scale military presence, including guided-missile destroyers, aviation assets, unmanned systems, and around 15,000 personnel.
The operation will be coordinated by the US Department of State and CENTCOM within the framework of the Maritime Freedom Construct coalition.
At the same time, Axios reports that the plan does not require US forces to escort commercial vessels directly. Instead, American naval units are expected to operate in close proximity, ready to respond if Iranian forces take action. Washington also intends to provide ships with information on safer transit routes through the strait.
On May 3, President Donald Trump announced plans to begin an operation to assist vessels currently blocked in the waterway, with a launch expected on Monday, May 4.
Tehran has already responded. Ebrahim Azizi, head of the Iranian parliament’s commission on national security and foreign policy, indicated that any US attempt to control navigation through the Strait of Hormuz would be treated as a breach of the ceasefire regime.
Earlier reports from Western media pointed to an almost complete halt in shipping traffic through the strait, based on vessel tracking data. This situation has developed amid the White House’s refusal to back Tehran’s peace initiative and continued concerns over a possible resumption of strikes on Iran.