Project Freedom: U.S. Says Ceasefire Holds Despite Multiple Iranian Attacks in Strait of Hormuz

Surprising details were shared by Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine during a press conference following the launch of the military operation «PROJECT FREEDOM» in the Strait of Hormuz, aimed at escorting vessels stranded amid escalating tensions tied to the war in Iran. The operation had been announced earlier by Trump on Truth Social. Hours later, the president claimed that U.S. forces had already exchanged fire with Iran, stating «Iran has taken some shots at unrelated Nations with respect to the Ship Movement, PROJECT FREEDOM, including a South Korean Cargo Ship.»

The situation has raised immediate concerns among analysts and international observers, many of whom fear the operation could trigger a broader escalation between Washington and Tehran. The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the most strategically sensitive maritime corridors in the world, with a significant portion of global oil shipments passing through it daily. Any military confrontation in the area carries the risk of disrupting international trade and energy markets. Despite these risks, U.S. officials have maintained that the operation is defensive in nature, focused on ensuring safe passage for commercial vessels.

Speaking at the press conference, Hegseth emphasized that U.S. forces have established what he described as a protective shield over the region, stating that a «red, white and blue dome» now covers the Strait of Hormuz. He also insisted that «the ceasefire is not over.» even as reports of continued Iranian activity mounted. The statement reflected the administration's position that while incidents have occurred, they do not yet meet the threshold for a return to full-scale hostilities between the two countries.

General Dan Caine provided further detail, confirming that Iran had conducted multiple actions since the ceasefire was put in place. «Since the ceasefire was announced, Iran has fired at commercial vessels nine times and seized two container ships, and they've attacked US forces more than 10 times, all below the threshold of restarting major combat operations at this point,» he said. He characterized the attacks as limited in scale, adding «What I'll say is it's low harassing fire right now.» while noting that «The threshold of restarting is a political decision above my pay grade.»

According to U.S. officials, Iran was warned in advance not to interfere with the planned escort mission, but tensions escalated rapidly as missile and drone activity intensified in the region. The United Arab Emirates temporarily closed its airspace following the attacks, underscoring the immediate regional impact. Reports of multiple strikes targeting both maritime and nearby infrastructure fueled fears that the ceasefire could collapse, even as officials continued to insist that the broader agreement technically remained in place.

Trump also addressed the situation from the Oval Office, offering a more aggressive assessment of Iran's position. «They play games, but let me just tell you, they want to make a deal,» he said, before adding «And who wouldn't, when your ‌military is totally gone?» He further claimed that Iran «should wave the white flag of surrender.» and stated «We beat them very badly, now they're reduced to little boats with machine guns on the front of them.» His remarks contrasted with the more measured tone of military officials, highlighting differing narratives within the administration as tensions continue to unfold.

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