US and Iran Clash at Sea as Tensions Escalate in Middle East

Amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, the US and Iran have engaged in a direct confrontation at sea. The US military claims to have shot down six Iranian small boats and intercepted several cruise missiles and drones in the Strait of Hormuz. The operation is part of the highly ambitious Operation'Project Freedom'launched by US President Donald Trump. President Trump officially launched'Project Freedom'on Monday. The main objective of the operation is to regain control of the Strait of Hormuz and open global shipping routes. Iran effectively closed this vital waterway after the war between the US and Israel on February 28. The US now wants to restore commercial shipping through this waterway. Admiral Brad Cooper, head of US Central Command, informed about the seriousness of the operation, saying that 15,000 US troops are active in this operation. More than 100 US Navy ships, unarmed naval vessels, and Iranian IRGC ground patrol aircraft have been deployed.