Hegseth claims Strait of Hormuz actions are ‘separate and distinct’ from Iran war

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Tuesday claimed the U.S. operation to protect commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz is a “separate and distinct” one from the more than two-month-old war against Iran launched by President Donald Trump as he warned Tehran against attacking any American or international commercial traffic transiting the key waterway.

Speaking at a press briefing at the Pentagon alongside Joint Chiefs of Staff Chair General Dan Caine, Hegseth said the mission that has been dubbed “Project Freedom” is meant to “restart the free flow of commerce through the Strait of Hormuz” amid skyrocketing petroleum prices as a result of Iran’s effective closing of the strait.

“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,” he said.

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