Pete Hegseth has asserted that the fragile ceasefire with Iran remains intact, even as he acknowledged that Iranian forces have attacked US troops nearly a dozen times since the cessation of hostilities. This comes as Iran launched devastating new strikes in the Middle East on Monday, following Donald Trump's announcement that the US Navy would reopen the Strait of Hormuz under the banner of 'Project Freedom.'
Project Freedom and Operation Epic Fury
'President Trump has directed U.S. Central Command to restart the free flow of commerce through the Strait of Hormuz under the umbrella of Project Freedom,' Hegseth stated. He clarified that 'this operation is separate and distinct from Operation Epic Fury.' The initiative, launched on Monday, aims to guide commercial tankers through the strait, where hundreds have been stranded since the Iran war began on February 28.
US Central Command later confirmed that the Navy would assist commercial ships in transiting the strait by advising them on mine avoidance and protecting them from Iranian attacks. In response, Tehran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) warned that any ship found violating the regime's maritime rules would be stopped by force.
Iranian Retaliation
On Monday, Iran fired four missiles at a US-backed Middle Eastern ally and destroyed a major oil port, retaliating against Trump's move to reopen the strait. The United Arab Emirates issued a missile alert for the first time since the fragile ceasefire was announced last month. The UAE's Defense Ministry reported intercepting three missiles, while a fourth 'fell into the sea.' An official noted that the country's air defenses 'are currently dealing with missile attacks and incoming drones from Iran.'
Trump claimed that the US had 'shot down seven small boats' during the latest skirmish but noted that only a South Korean ship had sustained damage. He suggested on Truth Social that 'perhaps it's time for South Korea to come and join the mission!' Tehran's decision to launch these attacks officially resumes hostilities between Iran and the US in the Middle East.
Further Escalations
Authorities also announced a massive fire at the Fujairah Oil Industry Zones on Monday, following a drone attack from Iran. A senior US official stated that US warships and aircraft had protected several commercial vessels from Iranian attacks earlier in the day. Sources reported that an Iranian drone successfully struck a Marshall Islands-linked oil vessel named the JV Innovation while it was attempting to transit the strait. In response, US warships sank six small Iranian boats after coming under cruise missile fire.
