Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth declared on Tuesday that the delicate ceasefire with Iran remains firmly in effect, even as tensions flared with recent Iranian attacks on U.S. forces and commercial vessels navigating the crucial Strait of Hormuz.
Addressing reporters at a Pentagon press briefing, Hegseth unequivocally stated, "The ceasefire is not over." His remarks followed a day of intensified aggression from Tehran, which targeted U.S.-protected commercial ships as part of a newly launched American operation.
According to Hegseth, Iran's recent actions were a direct response to the United States' initiation of "Project Freedom." This critical operation is designed to escort commercial ships safely out of the Persian Gulf, where many have been stranded since the broader conflict erupted on February 28.
Hegseth was careful to distinguish "Project Freedom," an initiative announced by President Donald Trump on Sunday evening, from the larger, ongoing conflict focused on curbing Iran's nuclear ambitions. "Ultimately, this is a separate, distinct project," Hegseth clarified. "And we expected there would be some churn at the beginning, which happened. And we said we would defend and defend aggressively, and we absolutely have."
U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth speaks during a press briefing at the Pentagon on May 5, 2026 in Arlington, Virginia.
Chip Somodevilla | Getty Images
Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Dan Caine provided further context, detailing Iran's aggressive posture since the ceasefire was first announced on April 7. He reported that Iran has fired upon commercial vessels nine times, seized two container ships, and attacked U.S. forces over 10 times during this period.
However, Caine emphasized that these numerous incidents, while concerning, are "all below the threshold of restarting major combat operations at this point," signaling that the ceasefire, though tested, has not fully collapsed.
This remains developing news, and readers are encouraged to check back for updates.
