Defense secretary Pete Hegseth has said that the US is “not looking for a fight” in the Strait of Hormuz despite threatening to use “overwhelming force” against Iran if it attacks commercial ships.
In a press conference on Tuesday, Hegseth said Tehran was the “clear aggressor” after both sides traded attacks in the key waterway on Monday.
He said that Project Freedom, announced by Donald Trump on Sunday, would help to ensure the safe passage of ships through the Strait and calm international markets.
Iran are “embarrassed”, he said, adding: “They said that they control the Strait but they do not.”
On Monday, several merchant ships reported explosions or fires in the Gulf, the US said it had destroyed six small Iranian military boats, and an oil port in the UAE was set ablaze by Iranian missiles.
The US military said that two merchant ships had made it through the Strait with the support of Navy guided-missile destroyers. Iran denied any crossings had taken place in recent hours.
Hegseth insists ceasefire pauses need for Congressional extension to war
Asked whether the administration will seek congressional approval if the ceasefire breaks down, Hegseth appears to dodge the question.
He reasserts the position that the nominal ceasefire agreement in place stopped the clock on the war before the 60-day deadline.
Hegseth says: “The option [to reopen hostilities] always there. And Iran knows that. And that’s why their choices in Project Freedom are important.
He says the president retains the power to restart the conflict if necessary.
James Reynolds5 May 2026 13:32
Saudi Arabia calls for mediation to stop escalation
Saudi Arabia’s foreign ministry shares the country’s concerns about renewed “escalation” in the region, after a day of clashes around the Gulf.
A statement shared on social media calls for urgent mediation and diplomatic efforts to stop the region “from sliding into further tension and instability”.
It goes on to stress the importance of reopening the Strait of Hormuz to international navigation, as Iran widens its claim to regional waters.
James Reynolds5 May 2026 13:32
US will not entangle Iran in nation building project, says Hegseth
Responding to reporters again, Pete Hegseth vows that the United States will not entangle Iran in a nation-building project.
James Reynolds5 May 2026 13:25
Ceasefire is not over, says Hegseth
Top US General Dan Caine tells reporters that Iran’s attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz have so far not met the threshold that would require the United States to restart combat operations.
Hegseth reaffirms that the ceasefire is not over. He insists the US is “defending”, and urges Iran to keep clashes under the threshold for re-escalation.
He says the US anticipated some friction to begin.
James Reynolds5 May 2026 13:22
Gen. Caine says US ready to resume conflict if needed
Gen. Dan ‘Razin’ Caine, the chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, says that there are still 22,500 mariners stuck in the Gulf and unable to transit.
He says Iran has fired at commercial vessels nine times and seized two container ships since the ceasefire agreement came into force last month.
The US forces in the region remain ready to resume major combat operations against Iran if ordered to do so, he insists, adding that more than 100 fighters, attack aircraft and other manned and unmanned aircraft are in the air 24 hours a day, providing defensive overwatch.
Some 15,000 American service members are involved in the ongoing operations in the region, he says.
“Commercial vessels will see, hear and frankly feel American combat power around them, in the sea, in the skies and on the radio,” he says.
James Reynolds5 May 2026 13:16
Project Freedom only temporary, says Hegseth
Hegseth clarifies that the US plans are only “temporary”, while traffic through the Strait remains impeded.
“The world needs this waterway much more than we do,” Hegseth says, casting Project Freedom as an offering to the international community.
He says that the US will soon enough “hand back” control to the rest of the world.
The defence secretary says the US would prefer peace and urges Iran to relent.
James Reynolds5 May 2026 13:11
Hegseth speaks at the Pentagon
US defence secretary is now speaking at the Pentagon.
He says that ‘Project Freedom’ – aimed at protecting international shipping from “Iranian aggression” – is distinct from ‘Epic Fury’, the wider conflict.
He accuses Iran of trying to weaponise an international waterway for commercial gain. He calls the plan of “international extortion” “unacceptable” to the US.
Hegseth reaffirms that two ships were able to transit the Strait yesterday, “embarassing” the Iranians. He says US Centcom is in contact with hundreds of ships and operators around the world to help more.
Hegseth says there are hundreds of drones, fighter jets and UAVs are in place to operate a ‘dome’ of support for foreign vessels alongside the ongoing naval blockade.
“America is using its strength to lift up others. Iran is trying to subjugate the world,” he assesses, threatening “overwhelming and devastating American firepower” for those who try to intervene.
James Reynolds5 May 2026 13:07
Watch: Defense Secretary Hegseth briefs on latest Iran war developments
James Reynolds5 May 2026 13:01
Trump refuses to say whether ceasefire is still in place
Asked by conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt yesterday whether the ceasefire was “over” and whether strikes would resume on Monday night, the president said: “Well, I can’t tell you that.”
“You wouldn’t,” Trump said. “If I answered that question, you’d say this man is not smart enough to be president.”
- Context: Trump told Congress earlier that he did not need authorisation to extend the war as it had been “terminated” by the ceasefire agreement, still nominally in place.
James Reynolds5 May 2026 13:00
Recap: Iran-US war latest: Tehran warns Trump against being ‘dragged back into quagmire’
Iran has warned that the United States risks being “dragged into quagmire” as renewed hostilities threaten to derail peace efforts.
Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi said that talks via mediator Pakistan were “making progress” in comments on social media last night, urging that a military solution will not resolve the political crisis.
“The US should be wary of being dragged back into quagmire by ill-wishers. So should the UAE. Project Freedom is Project Deadlock,” he added.
Trump earlier on Monday launched his ‘Project Freedom’ operation to assist stuck ships through the Strait, warning Iran with a forceful response if it tried to interfere.
James Reynolds5 May 2026 12:31NewerOlder