WASHINGTON: US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has warned Iran that it will have to deal with the consequences of an attack on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. According to him, Washington is not looking for war with Tehran but is ready to take steps in order to ensure safe shipping lanes for all countries.
Speaking to the press, Hegseth pointed out that despite the claims by Tehran, it does not have any control over the strategically important passage. “Iran will face the whole might of the US army if it attacks any commercial vessels,” he declared.
Operation Project Freedom only intends to restore the Strait of Hormuz to its previous glory. Hegseth asked Japan and South Korea to join them in the quest. “Our objective is to put an end to the illegal domination of Iran over the Strait of Hormuz and provide protection to ships against Iranian threats,” he explained.
Hegseth dismissed the proposals of Iran, describing them as “a form of international blackmail.”
US Military Prepared for Major Actions
Joining Hegseth, US Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman General Dan Cane said that American forces are prepared for large-scale operations against Iran if necessary. He claimed that Iran’s command and control centres have already been targeted and stressed that the situation has not yet escalated to full-scale war.
General Cane noted that President Trump authorized the launch of Project Freedom on Sunday, highlighting that the operation’s primary goal is to restore commercial traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.
The statements come amid growing tensions in the region, as the US seeks to secure one of the world’s most important maritime chokepoints against perceived Iranian aggression.
