Battle for Hormuz begins as U.S. military fights off Iranian attacks while seeking to break regime’s grip on ship traffic through strait

The months-long standoff over the Strait of Hormuz has reached a potentially decisive moment with the U.S. military engaged in combat in the contested waterway to help commercial ships exit the Persian Gulf.

Central Command chief Admiral Brad Cooper said Monday that U.S. forces destroyed six Iranian small boats and intercepted Iranian cruise missiles and drones.

He added that the naval blockade on Iranian ships remains in effect and “strongly advised” Iranian forces to stay away from the U.S. military as guides ships through the strait.

Central Command also said two Navy destroyers are currently operating in the Gulf after transiting the strait, adding that two U.S.-flagged merchant vessels are safely under way.

“American forces are actively assisting efforts to restore transit for commercial shipping,” it announced in a post on X.

That came a day after President Donald Trump announced Project Freedom, a U.S. effort to guide ships from “neutral and innocent” countries out of the Strait of Hormuz, warning that any interference will “have to be dealt with forcefully.”

U.S. stock indexes sold off as fighting erupted again in the Middle East with the United Arab Emirates also reporting renewed attacks from Iran. U.S. oil futures jumped 3.5% to $...