But secretary says the escorts are temporary, and the world should “step up.”

But secretary says the escorts are temporary, and the world should “step up.”

U.S. Defense Secretary emphasizes Project Freedom's temporary, defensive mission to protect commercial shipping from Iranian threats.

Despite U.S. efforts to force the strait open, traffic in the waterway remains just a fraction of what it used to be prior to the war.

Forty-eight hours after launching an operation to escort ships through the strategic waterway, the US president suspended it, citing progress in negotiations with Iran.