May 5 (UPI) -- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Tuesday that the U.S. mission to reopen the Strait of Hormuz was a temporary one and doesn't indicate an end to the cease-fire with Iran.
"The cease-fire is not over," he said during a press briefing at the Pentagon, despite clashes between Iranian forces and the U.S. Navy attempting to escort commercial ships attempting to pass through the strait Monday.
"This operation is separate and distinct from Operation Epic Fury," Hegseth said.
He added that the United States' "temporary mission" to protect commercial ships in the strait was a "direct gift" to other nations impacted by Iran shutting down the shipping lane amid the war.
"We expect the world to step up at the appropriate time, and soon we will hand responsibility back to you," Hegseth said.
