ABC News Daily The new battle in the Strait of Hormuz
May 5, 2026
Jennifer Parker, adjunct professor and former Royal Australian Navy warfare officer, offers sharp analysis of maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz. She discusses stranded merchant ships and crew, the US 'Project Freedom' rescue plans, Iran’s geographic and asymmetric advantages, and the risk of regional escalation. Short, urgent take on a dangerous new phase in Gulf maritime tensions.
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US Shifts To Active Defence In The Strait
- The US has moved from restraint to active defence in the Strait of Hormuz to protect commercial shipping.
- Jennifer Parker notes the US announced destroying Iranian gunboats and intercepting strikes as part of a large 15,000-person, sea-and-air task force.
Thousands Of Mariners Stranded Under Dire Conditions
- Around 2,000 ships and about 20,000 seafarers are trapped inside the Gulf due to attacks and a de facto blockade.
- Parker describes merchant mariners facing shortages of water, food, limited communications and constant fear of being targeted.
Reroute Ships South Of The Traffic Separation Scheme
- Encourage merchant ships to alter routes south of the traffic separation scheme to reduce mine and attack risk.
- The US is urging transits hugging the Omani coast while using destroyers and aircraft to shoot down attacking drones and missiles.