US warns of ‘overwhelming and devastating’ strikes on Iran if attacks on shipping continue
Iran will "face the overwhelming and devastating firepower" of the US military if it decides to attack American troops or ships, defence chief Pete Hegseth has warned.
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The United States' secretary of war said the White House would prefer a "peaceful operation", but also said its forces are "locked and loaded" to defend its people and mission.
The ceasefire between the nations appears to be hanging by a thread after drones and missiles launched from Iran were intercepted by US forces on Monday.
Iranian state media claimed the country had hit a US warship with two missiles, preventing it from entering the strait, but its government denied any small boats had been destroyed.
Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, Mr Hegseth warned: "To what remains of Iran's forces, if you attack American troops or innocent commercial shipping, you will face overwhelming and devastating American firepower.
Read more: US denies that Iran 'hit warship with two missiles' as tensions rise over Strait of Hormuz
"The President has been very clear about this. We prefer this to be a peaceful operation, but are locked and loaded to defend our people, our ships, our aircraft and this mission without hesitation."
He went on: "To Iran, let innocent ships pass freely, these international waters belong to all nations, not to Iran to tax, toll, or control.
"To our partners, allies, and the rest of the world, this is a temporary mission for us. As I've said before, the world needs this waterway a lot more than we do.
"We're stabilising the situation so commerce can flow again, but we expect the world to step up."
He also told reporters that Project Freedom, announced by President Trump over the weekend, would help to ensure the safe passage of ships through the Strait.
Elsewhere, the United Arab Emirates said it came under attack for the first time since the truce took hold in early April.
An Iranian drone strike triggered a fire at a key oil facility, while it was reported two cargo vessels were on fire off the country’s coast.
Hegseth played down any suggestion the ceasefire between the US and Iran had been shattered, insisting it "is not over" but the stand-off remains deadlocked.
He added: "Two US commercial ships, along with American destroyers, have already safely transited the strait, showing the lane is clear.
"We know the Iranians are embarrassed by this fact. They said they control the strait. They do not.
"So American ships led the way, commercial and military, shouldering the initial risk from the front, as Americans always do and right now, hundreds more ships from nations around the world are lining up to transit."
Trump previously described Project Freedom as a humanitarian effort benefiting "neutral and innocent" nations affected by the Iran war.
Posting on TruthSocial, he also warned that interference would be met "forcefully" and said US representatives are in talks with Iran that could yield 'something very positive for all".
Hegseth said that the project would put an end to Iran "harassing" ships, "shooting at civilian tankers from all nations", and "trying to impose a tolling system".
He added: "To be clear, this operation is separate and distinct from Operation Epic Fury.
"Project Freedom is defensive in nature, focused in scope, and temporary in duration, with one mission: protecting innocent commercial shipping from Iranian aggression.
"American forces won't need to enter Iranian waters or airspace, it's not necessary. We're not looking for a fight. But Iran also cannot be allowed to block innocent countries and their goods from an international waterway.
"Iran is the clear aggressor, harassing civilian vessels, threatening mariners from every nation indiscriminately, and weaponising a critical choke point for its own financial benefit, at least trying to."