Two U.S.-Flagged Ships Exit Strait of Hormuz Safely

Two U.S.-flagged commercial vessels safely transited the Strait of Hormuz on Monday, becoming the first known such ships to exit the Persian Gulf since its virtual closure in early March amid the U.S.-Iran war.

The CS Anthem, a chemical tanker managed by CrowleyStena Marine Solutions, completed the passage without incident, its operator said in a statement Tuesday. "The Crowley-managed vessel, CS Anthem, has safely completed its transit through the Strait of Hormuz," the company said. Maersk reported that its Farrell Lines subsidiary-operated vehicle carrier, Alliance Fairfax, also exited the strait on Monday, with all crew members safe and unharmed.

The transits occurred under U.S. military protection as American forces work to restore commercial shipping through the vital waterway. U.S. Central Command stated on social media that Navy guided-missile destroyers are operating in the Gulf under "Project Freedom." Two unidentified U.S. officials told NBC News that the vessels carried U.S. military security teams aboard during the passages, when Iran launched attacks against them. Representatives from Maersk and Crowley declined immediate comment on that report.