Clashes and military threats near the Strait of Hormuz pushed oil prices to $115 and triggered a sell-off in U.S. Treasuries, underscoring market sensitivity to disruptions along a critical global energy shipping route. Reuters reported the United States launched "Project Freedom," while U.S. Central Command said it would support Operation Free Passage beginning May 4 to restore freedom of navigation for commercial vessels. Subsequent reporting from The Wall Street Journal, CNN, Axios, and i24 News said the mission emphasized traffic coordination, nearby protection, and deterrence rather than routine direct escorts, although Pete Hegseth later said two American merchant ships passed through the strait with a U.S. Navy destroyer. Hegseth also described the operation as defensive and temporary, said the United States was maintaining an "ironclad" blockade on Iran, and said Washington expected broader international support. The Associated Press further reported that the United Arab Emirates intercepted 15 missiles and four drones near Fujairah.