U.S. Media: U.S. Navy "Quietly" Assists Vessels Through the Strait of Hormuz
On May 26, Xinhua News Agency reported from Washington (reporters Huang Qiang and Xu Jianmei) that the U.S. Navy is "quietly" assisting ships in passing through the Strait of Hormuz, according to sources from some U.S. military officials cited by The Wall Street Journal on the 26th.
The report stated that a Greek tanker loaded with 2 million barrels of crude oil was guided by the U.S. Navy while passing through the Strait of Hormuz along the coast of Oman. This tanker has been stranded in the Persian Gulf west of the Strait of Hormuz since early March and is currently heading to India to unload.
U.S. military officials also mentioned that the U.S. Navy plans to assist more than a dozen vessels, including tankers and container ships, in passing through the Strait of Hormuz in the coming days.
However, a spokesperson for the U.S. Central Command stated that the U.S. has not resumed the "Freedom Plan," which was previously announced to be suspended and aimed at guiding stranded vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, and reports that the plan has been restarted are inaccurate.
The U.S. military launched the "Freedom Plan" on the morning of the 4th local time in the Middle East, but U.S. President Trump announced the suspension of this operation on the evening of the 5th Eastern Time, citing reasons including observing whether the U.S.-Iran agreement "can ultimately be finalized and signed." The "Freedom Plan" lasted less than 48 hours from its launch to its suspension. According to U.S. media reports, the operation was not coordinated in advance with Gulf allies, leading to dissatisfaction from Saudi Arabia, which refused to allow U.S. military use of Saudi bases and airspace. Subsequently, Trump has repeatedly claimed that the "Freedom Plan" operation may be resumed.
The U.S. Navy is quietly assisting ships, including a Greek oil tanker carrying 2 million barrels of oil, through the Strait of Hormuz. This operation involves over a dozen vessels and is part of ongoing U.S. military efforts in the region. However, the U.S. Central Command has clarified that the previously announced 'Freedom Plan' for stranded ships has not been resumed, despite earlier reports.
- U.S. Navy is assisting ships through the Strait of Hormuz.
- A Greek oil tanker carrying 2 million barrels of oil was guided by the U.S. Navy.
- Over a dozen ships, including tankers and container ships, are expected to receive assistance.
- The U.S. Central Command denied reports of resuming the 'Freedom Plan' for stranded vessels.
- The 'Freedom Plan' was briefly initiated but suspended within 48 hours.