The American Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, announced that the US operation to protect commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz is temporary and does not aim for a conflict with Iran.

Pete Hegseth, the American Secretary of Defense, stated on Tuesday that the U.S. operation to protect commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz is temporary and does not seek a conflict with Iran. Hegseth emphasized that the ceasefire with Tehran is still in effect, asserting that "the ceasefire has not ended." This operation, named Project Liberty, was launched by President Donald Trump to ensure control over a vital shipping lane for the global economy, amid rising tensions between the U.S. and Iran.

Hegseth assured that American forces will not enter Iranian territorial waters and that the mission is strictly defensive, aimed at protecting peaceful commercial vessels from Iranian aggression. This statement comes against the backdrop of recent exchanges of fire between the U.S. and Iran in the Gulf, which have tested the fragile ceasefire in the Middle East.