The U.S. and Iran tested their ceasefire after the U.S. attempted to force open the Strait of Hormuz, exchanging shots and threats with one another.
Following the launch of “Project Freedom” and the successful transit of two commercial vessels out of the strait, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) leader Adm. Brad Cooper announced the destruction of six small Iranian boats.
Adm. Cooper revealed that U.S. forces “blew up” the vessels after Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) launched “multiple cruise missiles, drones, and small boats” and failed to strike the U.S. Navy and commercial ships.
Iranian Officials Respond to "Project Freedom"
Disputing Adm. Cooper’s claims, according to Iran’s state TV, an Iranian military commander announced that two civilian boats were attacked on Day 1 of “Project Freedom,” killing five civilians.
According to The Associated Press (AP), Iran’s powerful parliamentary speaker and chief negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, accused the U.S. of compromising the Islamic Republic’s regional security in its efforts to end Iran’s control over the waterway. Qalibaf warned that if the U.S. continued, then Tehran would retaliate.
“Events in Hormuz make clear that there's no military solution to a political crisis,” Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said in a post on X. “As talks are making progress with Pakistan's gracious effort, the U.S. should be wary of being dragged back into quagmire by ill-wishers. So should the UAE.”
“Project Freedom is Project Deadlock,” he added.
Chairman Caine Assures Ceasefire Has Not Been Violated
Amid concerns over the ceasefire's fragility, Joint Chiefs Chairman Dan Caine assured reporters during a Pentagon briefing that, despite actions in the waterway, the Trump administration does not believe the ceasefire has been violated.
“Since the ceasefire was announced, Iran has fired at commercial vessels nine times and seized two container ships, and they’ve attacked U.S. forces more than ten times – all below the threshold of restarting major combat operations at this point,” Chairman Caine said.
Trump Acknowledges Exchanges Between Both Nations
“Iran has taken some shots at unrelated Nations with respect to the Ship Movement, PROJECT FREEDOM, including a South Korean Cargo Ship,” President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social, suggesting that South Korea join the campaign.
“We’ve shot down seven small Boats or, as they like to call them, “fast” Boats. It’s all they have left. Other than the South Korean Ship, there has been, at this moment, no damage going through the Strait,” President Trump added.
