Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told reporters Tuesday morning that the U.S.-Iran ceasefire remains in place, even as both sides exchanged fire in the Strait of Hormuz the day before. Speaking alongside Joint Chiefs Chair Gen. Dan Caine, Hegseth detailed “Project Freedom,” a limited initiative to allow some commercial traffic through the strategic waterway.
“This is separate and distinct from Operation Epic Fury,” Hegseth said, describing the new effort as “focused in scope and temporary in duration.” When pressed on Monday’s clashes, he acknowledged some turbulence was anticipated: “We expected there would be some churn at the beginning, which happened.”
The Pentagon’s stance comes as Hegseth insists Iran ceasefire holds despite Hormuz clashes, but Tehran has accused Washington of violating the truce. The back-and-forth underscores the fragility of the arrangement, especially as the U.S. Navy escorts ships through the strait under intermittent fire.
On Capitol Hill, Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) is leading a push to force a vote on a resolution authorizing military force against Iran when the Senate returns next week. A handful of GOP senators are expected to join her, testing party unity on a conflict that has already driven U.S. gas prices up 34 cents as the national average nears $4.50.
Meanwhile, voters in Indiana and Ohio head to the polls for primary elections. Key races include contests for open House seats and state legislative battles that could signal midterm dynamics.
President Trump is scheduled to sign a proclamation, sit for an interview, and attend a policy meeting later Tuesday. Vice President Vance will travel to Iowa for an event with Rep. Zach Nunn (R). With White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt on parental leave, Secretary of State Marco Rubio will hold a press briefing at the White House at 3 p.m.
The administration is also pressuring South Korea to join the Iranian conflict, as detailed in Trump pressures Seoul to join Iranian conflict after Strait explosion. The diplomatic push comes amid rising tensions and economic fallout from the ongoing crisis.
