The Wall Street Journal has argued that the initiative launched by former US President Donald Trump under the name “Project Freedom” exposed the clear limitations of Washington’s ability to impose a new reality in the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical maritime corridors.
In a report examining the operation, journalist Jared Malsin described the initiative, before Trump decided to freeze it on Wednesday, as a “high risk gamble” aimed at breaking Iran’s de facto control over the strait and restoring freedom of navigation.
According to Malsin, the operation faced major structural limitations from the outset. While Trump sought to pressure Iran into making strategic concessions, Tehran remained determined to deny Washington any clear political or military victory.
Iran’s Aggressive Response
The report states that Iran responded forcefully through a series of escalatory actions, including launching cruise missiles at American warships and deploying drones alongside fast attack boats against both military and civilian targets.
Malsin argues that this reality has created a permanent threat environment not only for military forces operating in the region, but also for commercial shipping traffic.
Despite American efforts, shipping companies remain reluctant to fully return to the Strait of Hormuz without credible and long term security guarantees.
A Climate of Uncertainty
One of the report’s central conclusions is that even if the American operation had succeeded tactically, it would still have failed to restore maritime traffic to pre war levels.
Before the conflict, approximately 130 vessels crossed the strait daily. Now, only a handful of ships are attempting passage.
According to Malsin, this dramatic decline reflects more than immediate military danger. It also reveals a wider atmosphere of uncertainty surrounding regional stability and global energy security.
The closure of the Strait of Hormuz triggered what the report describes as the worst oil supply shock in modern history, severely impacting energy markets and economies worldwide.
Washington Faces a Prolonged Maritime Conflict
The report further suggests that the United States is drifting towards a long term naval confrontation over control of the strait.
Washington has already deployed its most advanced military pressure tools without securing decisive results, leaving few remaining options beyond attempting to safeguard shipping routes through continuous maritime operations.
On a practical level, the US Navy has relied on several defensive measures, including rerouting vessels through safer paths closer to the coast of Oman and using advanced surveillance technologies such as unmanned maritime aircraft to detect naval mines.
Military Power Alone Cannot Secure Hormuz
Despite these measures, the operation continues to face major obstacles.
Iran remains committed to enforcing its own conditions inside the strait, including demands that vessels obtain prior authorisation before crossing.
Malsin ultimately concludes that control over the Strait of Hormuz cannot be secured through military force alone.
The decisive factor, he argues, is confidence.
Without the trust of global markets, insurance firms, and the international shipping sector, even the world’s most powerful navy cannot restore normal maritime activity.
In that sense, “Project Freedom” revealed a deeper geopolitical reality: American power remains formidable, but it is not absolute.
