US Defence Secretary, Pete Hegseth has asserted that US military seeks “to break Iran’s illegal stranglehold” over the Strait of Hormuz in its Project Freedom naval operation.
Speaking at a press conference at the Pentagon, Hegseth outlined Washington’s objectives for the newly launched mission, describing it as a focused effort to restore the free flow of commerce through one of the world’s most critical maritime routes. The Strait of Hormuz, which connects the Persian Gulf to global markets, carries a significant share of the world’s oil shipments, making any disruption a matter of global economic concern.
Hegseth said the United States is acting to counter what it views as Iranian interference with commercial shipping in the waterway, while emphasizing that the operation is defensive in scope.
“US aims to protect shipping from Iranian aggression. The US won’t need to enter Iranian airspace or waters as part of opening the Strait of Hormuz.”
Pete Hegseth
The Defence Secretary made clear that the United States is seeking to avoid a broader confrontation with Iran, even as it increases its naval presence in the region. “We’re not looking for a fight,” he said, signaling that Washington’s priority is to stabilize maritime traffic rather than escalate military tensions.
Hegseth dismissed assertions that Iran has authority over the waterway, reiterating Washington’s position that the strait remains an international passage. “They said they control the strait, they do not,” he said, reinforcing the US view that freedom of navigation must be upheld.
The US Defence Chief warned Iran that it will unleash heavy attacks if vessels carrying out trade are targeted during its operation Project Freedom. He stated that “as a direct gift from the United States to the world, we have established a powerful red, white, and blue dome over” the Strait of Hormuz. “Iran will face overwhelming firepower if it attacks commercial shipping,” he said.
On his part, General Dan Caine said that US forces are successfully thwarting Iranian sea strikes.
He disclosed that Iran has fired at commercial vessels nine times and seized two container ships in the strait, and they’ve attacked US forces more than 10 times – all below the threshold of restarting major combat operations, adding that Iran has continued to deliberately attack its neighbours.
“Just yesterday, Iran attacked Oman once, and the UAE three times, including an attack on Fujairah oil terminal, which was successfully defeated. Iran also launched cruise missiles and drones at US forces defending commercial shipping in the strait.”
Dan Caine
He added that US navy MH-60 helicopters and army AH-64 Apache helicopters successfully defeated those threats.
According to Caine, CENTCOM has established an enhanced security area on the southern side of the Strait of Hormuz that is now protected by US land, naval and air assets to help defeat further Iranian aggression against commercial shipping.
“The following are our capabilities: Fast boats and one-way attack drones in the air. More than 100 fighter attack aircraft and other manned and unmanned aircraft – synchronised by the 82nd Airborne Division – are in the air 24 hours a day, providing defensive overwatch for the enhanced security area.
“These forces are comprised of over 15,000 American service members, and have established localised air and sea control to protect against Iranian threats. Commercial vessels that transit through the area will see, hear and feel US combat power around them on the sea, in the skies, and on the radio.”
Dan Caine
He noted that more flag merchant vessels are anticipated to transit over the coming days further up the Gulf, stating that US naval forces and Central Command continues to work to identify and mitigate any threats beyond “Project Freedom.”
US Forces Ready to Resume Combat Operations
Caine said that the threshold of restarting the war on Iran is a political situation “above my pay grade.”
However, he added that CENTCOM and the rest of the joint force remain ready to resume major combat operations against Iran if ordered to do so. “No adversary should mistake our current restraint with a lack of resolve,” he said.
Caine said that Iran is carrying out “low harassing fire right now.” “We’re still at pretty low level kinetics at this point in time,” he added.
He also said thaIran’s command-and-control structure remains very fractured, “and I think they’re struggling to maintain control.”
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