What is Project Freedom? Experts say Trump’s plan to escort ships through Hormuz could backfire

NewsWorldMiddle EastWhat is Project Freedom? Experts say Trump’s plan to escort ships through Hormuz could backfireDespite reassurances the US Navy would escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz, Project Freedom has not got off to a promising startJames C. Reynolds Tuesday 05 May 2026 12:09 BSTBookmarkCommentsGo to commentsBookmark popoverRemoved from bookmarksClose popover{"translations":{"comments":"Go to comments","share":"Share","copyLink":"Copy link","bookmark":"Bookmark","removeBookmark":"Remove bookmark"},"showComments":true,"showBookmark":true,"articleId":"b2970488","articleMeta":{"url":"https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/trump-project-freedom-iran-strait-of-hormuz-b2970488.html","title":"What is Project Freedom? Experts say Trump’s plan in Hormuz could backfire"}}CloseSuper Hornets launch from USS Abraham Lincoln enforcing blockade on Iranian portsOn The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondentsGet a weekly dispatch from our international correspondentsGet a weekly international news dispatchEmail*SIGN UPI would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice{"className":"sc-1ge0fwe-0","newsletterData":{"regSourceNewsletter":"IND_On_The_Ground_Newsletter","regTitle":"On The Ground","subscriptionGroup":"on_the_ground","subscriptionGroupId":"14806361-6435-4d19-b06e-05326605fb01","pathPrefix":["/news/world/europe","/news/world/middle-east","/news/world/australasia","/news/world/africa","/asia"],"associatedAuthors":["Bel Trew","Sam Kiley"],"title":"On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents","mobileTitle":"Get a weekly international news dispatch","lengthenedMobileTitle":"Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents","imageSrc":"https://static.independent.co.uk/static-assets/images/newsletters/onTheGround1_1.png","newsletterKey":"receiveOnTheGround","regSourceSection":"Middle East","regSourceMethod":...