After US-Iran Gulf clashes, US Secretary of War says ceasefire still effective

US-Iran War Key News

(Central News Agency, Washington, 5th, comprehensive foreign report) US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth stated today that even with US and Iranian forces clashing in the Persian Gulf and vying for control of the Strait of Hormuz, the ceasefire between the two sides has not ended.

Reuters reported that since the conflict erupted on February 28, Iran has continued to control the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway, while Washington seeks to break the blockade.

Hegseth stated that the US has successfully ensured a passage through the Strait of Hormuz, with hundreds of merchant ships lining up to pass.

He said at a Pentagon press conference: "We know Iran is embarrassed by this fact. They claim to control the strait, but in reality, they don't."

The US military stated that after President Donald Trump dispatched the navy to escort stranded oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz, executing his "Project Freedom," the US has sunk 6 Iranian small boats and intercepted Iranian cruise missiles and drones.

Several merchant ships in the Persian Gulf reported explosions or fires yesterday, and an oil port in the United Arab Emirates also caught fire due to an Iranian missile attack.

General Dan Caine, Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, said today that since the US-Iran ceasefire was announced on April 7, Iran has fired on merchant ships 9 times and seized two container ships.

He also said that Iran has attacked US forces more than 10 times.

However, Caine told reporters that these attacks "are currently below the threshold for restarting large-scale combat operations."

When asked if the ceasefire with Iran was still effective, Hegseth replied: "The ceasefire has not ended."

He said: "We said we would defend, and actively defend, and we have done so. Iran knows this well, and whether the situation escalates to a breach of the ceasefire is ultimately up to the President to decide."

Hegseth also said: "Project Freedom is essentially defensive, clearly defined in scope, and short-term in duration, with its sole mission being to protect innocent merchant vessels from Iranian attacks. US forces do not need to enter Iranian waters or airspace. There is no need. We are not seeking conflict."

These US actions are the latest wave of Trump's efforts to end Iran's blockade of the strait and interference with international energy supplies. Before the war, the Strait of Hormuz carried one-fifth of the world's crude oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) shipments. On the other hand, the US Navy also continues to impose a naval blockade on Iran, prohibiting all types of vessels from going to or leaving Iran. (Compiler: Yang Chao-yen) 1150505

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