Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth downplayed the U.S. military's new effort to clear the Strait of Hormuz as a "temporary mission" that does not break the ceasefire with Iran, even after the Pentagon said it sank half a dozen small Iranian boats.
President Donald Trump has called the effort to allow commercial ships to pass through the Strait a "mini war" and said any interference with the U.S. military will be "dealt with forcefully." But Hegseth said "Project Freedom," as the Pentagon has dubbed the operation, is temporary and won't see U.S. forces enter Iranian territory.
"To be clear, this operation is separate and distinct from Operation Epic Fury," he told reporters at a May 5 news briefing, using the Pentagon's name for the Iran war. "Project Freedom is defensive in nature, focused in scope and temporary in duration."
U.S. forces won't enter Iranian airspace or waters, he said. "It's not necessary. We're not looking for a fight."
Hegseth did not elaborate on how long the operation would last. Pressed on whether military strikes in the Strait constituted a break in the ceasefire, Hegseth said it did not.
