Iran War Update: The Ceasefire Is Not Over With, Hegseth Says

Summary

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs Chairman Dan Caine brief the Pentagon press on Project Freedom, a defensive operation to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to commercial shipping while maintaining an ironclad blockade on Iranian vessels. They confirm the ceasefire with Iran is still in place despite ongoing low-level attacks, and urge allied nations to take over the mission eventually.

• Project Freedom launched to protect commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
• US maintains an ironclad blockade of Iranian ships.
• Ceasefire with Iran is still active, not broken.
• Iran has attacked commercial vessels nine times since ceasefire.
• US forces have established a security zone with air and naval assets.
• Over 1,550 commercial vessels are trapped in the Arabian Gulf.
• Operation Epic Fury previously crippled Iran's conventional capabilities.
• US expects partner nations to eventually assume responsibility for the strait.