Trump’s Project Freedom nudges oil lower, Bitcoin hits $80,000

President Donald Trump announced “Project Freedom” on Sunday, directing US forces to escort neutral vessels through the Strait of Hormuz. The operation is scheduled to begin Monday morning Middle East time.

US Central Command confirmed deployments that include guided‑missile destroyers, more than 100 aircraft, unmanned platforms and roughly 15,000 service members. CENTCOM posted: “The mission, directed by the President, will support merchant vessels seeking to freely transit through the essential international trade corridor.”

Trump framed the operation as a humanitarian measure and wrote that countries had asked the United States to help free up their ships. He added that his representatives were holding “very positive” diplomatic talks with Tehran.

Markets showed mixed responses. Brent crude traded around $108 a barrel, down about 0.16%, while West Texas Intermediate was near $101, down about 0.29%. Bitcoin climbed to $80,000 in early Asian trading before settling near $79,715, roughly 1.9% higher over the previous 24 hours.

The announcement followed a report that a tanker was struck by multiple unknown projectiles in the Oman corridor of the Strait of Hormuz, about 78 nautical miles north of Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates. That incident was reported shortly before the US operation was publicized.

Ebrahim Azizi, a senior Iranian lawmaker, criticized the US action and warned any interference would be treated as a violation of the ceasefire, writing: “The Strait of Hormuz and the Persian Gulf would not be managed by Trump’s delusional posts! No one would believe Blame Game scenarios!”

Officials, traders and risk managers are monitoring operational details and any Iranian response for further market developments.