The U.S. Navy’s deployment of two guided-missile destroyers into the Gulf on Monday was a calculated effort by the Trump administration to challenge Iran’s control over the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz. Dubbed “Project Freedom,” the initiative aimed to demonstrate American influence in the region but underscored the limitations of U.S. power in altering the current standoff. The operation sought to pressure Iran into accepting U.S. terms during ongoing negotiations, while Tehran remained resolute in resisting concessions.

Late Tuesday, President Donald Trump announced a pause in the naval operation, citing appeals from Pakistan and other countries. The mission had heightened risks not only for U.S. military personnel but also for commercial shipping, which largely remained cautious about transiting the strait amid concerns over potential Iranian attacks. Despite U.S. military claims of successfully defending American vessels and escorting two American-flagged ships through the area, at least two other commercial ships were struck, one sustaining a fire. The United Arab Emirates also reported intercepting fresh Iranian attacks late Tuesday.

The naval escort did little to restore normal commercial traffic levels through the strait. Prior to the conflict, approximately 130 vessels passed through daily; only six vessels made the crossing on Monday, and just one by Tuesday afternoon, according to S&P Global Market Intelligence. This minimal traffic mirrored the reduced movement seen since Iran declared the strait closed in response to U.S. and Israeli bombing campaigns that began in late February. The ongoing closure has escalated what experts describe as the worst oil supply shock in history, with significant implications for global energy markets and governments.

Shipping industry analysts stressed that the combination of physical danger and reputational risk deters many operators from reentering the strait. Naveen Das, a senior analyst at Kpler, noted the lack of appetite within the industry to undertake such a hazardous transit. “If you were to be essentially the first movers to take that risk, and you were to get hit, then reputational risk as well is huge,” he said.

The Trump administration has sought to regain leverage after Iran’s closure of the strait, following a sustained 40-day bombing campaign by U.S. and Israeli forces. In response, the U.S. imposed a blockade on Iranian ports in April aimed at cutting off Tehran’s oil revenue. Analysts described the recent naval operation as a shift toward a more measured, sea-based contest of control in the strait, rather than returning to broad bombing attacks.

Bryan Clark, a former senior U.S. Navy official, observed that the highest level of escalation had already been reached through airstrikes targeting Iranian leadership and weapons facilities. “I think the U.S., the administration is realizing that they don’t have a lot of tools left to coerce Iran, other than let’s restore shipping,” he said.

The U.S. Navy’s move also reflected ongoing efforts to challenge Iran’s directives for shipping through the waterway, where Tehran requires vessels to use a northern route near its coastline, a demand the U.S. rejects. Instead, Washington advocates for vessels to transit closer to Oman’s coast on the southern side. Uncertainty over these navigation plans has further deterred commercial operators, despite U.S. assurances they are coordinating with the shipping sector.

Matthew Savill, director of military sciences at the Royal United Services Institute, emphasized that controlling the Strait of Hormuz involves more than demonstrating military strength. “It’s a question of confidence, confidence of the markets, confidence of insurers, and confidence of civilian shipping,” he said, highlighting the complex interplay of factors shaping the ongoing standoff.