The American administration announced the launch of "Project Freedom Plus" — an expanded and more aggressive version of the previous military mission in the Strait of Hormuz. Whereas the US previously limited itself to escorting commercial vessels and responding to direct attacks, the new strategy provides for preemptive strikes on Iranian targets before they can attack. According to military sources, this is a radical shift in approach: from defense to active threat prevention.
The shipping situation in the strait has sharply deteriorated. According to analytics firm Kepler, no ships passed through the strait on May 7 and 8, and only two on May 9. US estimates say that between 1,500 and 2,000 vessels are stuck in the waters of the Persian Gulf. US Central Command reported that it has rerouted 58 ships and stopped another four since the start of the port blockade. Some vessels have come under direct attack, turning the whole region into a zone of covert but dangerous confrontation.
Under the new strategy, the US is increasing its military presence in the region. Aircraft carriers, air-defense-equipped destroyers, reconnaissance aircraft and drones have been deployed in the Arabian Sea and remain constantly airborne. The stated goal is to improve escalation management if talks with Iran fail and to create a powerful deterrent. Washington is clearly prepared to move from the role of observer to that of an active combatant if necessary.
Iran, in turn, is revising its rules of engagement, betting on unconventional weaponry. Tehran is increasing its use of hard-to-detect means: small submarines, fast attack boats and kamikaze drones. These unconventional systems allow it to pressure American forces and infrastructure without engaging in open confrontation. Iran exploits shallow waters and dense civilian shipping to complicate retaliatory actions.
A new digital front is causing particular concern. Pro-government Iranian media have proposed introducing fees for the subsea cables running along the bottom of the Strait of Hormuz. These fiber-optic lines, protected by steel and plastic, are critical infrastructure: they carry about 97% of the region's traffic and roughly 30% of internet data between Europe, Asia and the Middle East. Disrupting them or imposing charges could paralyze communications, the internet and financial systems across three continents at once — a blow that could surpass the consequences of attacks on oil tankers.
The US president has threatened to launch "Project Freedom Plus" in full if negotiations with Tehran do not yield results. However, exact details of the plan have not yet been revealed. Experts believe it likely involves broader military authorities to control sea lanes and rapidly deter threats. At the same time, risks are rising because of Iran's unconventional measures, including threats to digital infrastructure. The region is rapidly moving toward a more complex and dangerous phase of confrontation — at sea and in cyberspace.
Comments on the news
Which Iranian unconventional threats (for example, small submarines or kamikaze drones) pose the greatest danger to US warships and commercial vessels in the shallow waters of the Strait of Hormuz? - The greatest danger comes from high-speed boats armed with short-range missiles (for example, of the Noor class), as well as kamikaze drones (for example, the Shahed-136). Small submarines of the Ghadir class and mines, which can be quickly deployed in narrow parts of the strait, also pose a serious threat due to the difficulty of detecting them in murky water.
What is the history of Iran's control over the Strait of Hormuz and what previous conflicts with the US and its allies in this region may have influenced the current strategy? - Iran exerts partial control over the strait through military bases and minefields located on the island of Abu Musa. Key conflicts include: 1) Operation Praying Mantis (1988) — after a US frigate was damaged by an Iranian mine, the Americans destroyed Iranian oil platforms and ships. 2) The seizure of British sailors in 2007. 3) A series of incidents in 2019–2023 involving attacks on tankers and the downing of an American drone. These episodes reinforced Tehran's belief that asymmetric tactics (mines, small boats) are effective against high-tech navies.
What internal factors in Iran (political, economic or military) might have pushed pro-government media to propose charging fees for subsea cables, and how does this reflect Tehran's broader objectives? - Economic sanctions and inflation (above 40% by official figures) are forcing the search for new revenue sources. Politically, it signals to the West that Iran could disrupt global digital infrastructure (for example, internet cables) if it is not brought into the negotiating process. Militarily, the logic is that control over the strait includes not only shipping but also subsea infrastructure, strengthening the IRGC's position as a key player in the economy. This is part of a strategy of "pressure through unexpected levers" used in talks over the nuclear program.
Full version: ما هو "مشروع الحرية بلس" الأمريكي الجديد بمضيق هرمز؟