Washington: Two U.S. merchant ships have successfully transited through the Strait of Hormuz, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced. This development is part of an ongoing operation aimed at restoring freedom of navigation through the strategically important waterway.

According to Yonhap News Agency, CENTCOM made the announcement via a social media post following President Donald Trump's statement about the initiation of "Project Freedom." The mission seeks to assist ships that have been stranded due to the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, which effectively choked off the strait.

CENTCOM confirmed that U.S. Navy guided-missile destroyers are operating in the Arabian Gulf, having transited the Strait of Hormuz to support Project Freedom. "American forces are actively assisting efforts to restore transit for commercial shipping. As a first step, 2 U.S.-flagged merchant vessels have successfully transited through the Strait of Hormuz and are safely headed on their journey," the command noted.

Earlier reports from Iranian state media alleged that a U.S. warship had been struck by missiles from Iran, a claim that CENTCOM firmly denied. "No U.S. Navy ships have been struck. U.S. forces are supporting Project Freedom and enforcing the naval blockade on Iranian ports," CENTCOM clarified in a separate post.