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3. Hegseth warns of ‘overwhelming’ response as Hormuz tensions rise despite ceasefire

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Tuesday a ceasefire with Iran remains in place despite rising tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, where Washington has deployed forces to protect commercial shipping.

Speaking at the Pentagon alongside Joint Chiefs Chairman Dan Caine, Hegseth said the United States is “not seeking a wider conflict” in the Middle East, but is prepared to respond if necessary.

Hormuz tensions test the ceasefire.

Hegseth described the situation in the Strait of Hormuz — a vital oil corridor for global markets — as the escalation of current tensions, with recent incidents involving commercial vessels raising fears of renewed confrontation.

Hegseth’s tone sharpened as he turned to Tehran’s actions. Iran, he said, has no legitimate right to harass or target commercial vessels transiting the strait. The waterway, he stressed, is not under Iranian control, and attempts to disrupt traffic amount to unlawful interference rather than sovereign enforcement.

He said the U.S. had launched a naval operation, dubbed “Project Freedom,” to ensure freedom of navigation through the strategic waterway. The mission, he added, is “defensive and temporary,” and not intended to expand the conflict. “The ceasefire is not over,” Hegseth said, even as he pointed that Iran is destabilizing activity in the area.

U.S. signals readiness, seeks deterrence

While emphasizing restraint, Hegseth warned that Washington remains ready to respond with “overwhelming” force if necessary, describing U.S. forces as prepared for rapid escalation.

Caine said that recent Iranian actions remain “below the threshold” that would trigger a broader U.S. military response. He suggested the Pentagon is closely calibrating its posture to avoid a full-scale war while maintaining deterrence.

“We are monitoring the situation very carefully,” Caine said, indicating that U.S. commanders are assessing both intent and scale of Iranian actions.