US 'not looking for a fight' with temporary operation to protect ships from Iran, Pentagon chief says

The United States has launched “Project Freedom” to protect commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stressing the operation is temporary, defensive, and not aimed at confrontation with Iran. Tensions remain high in the Gulf as U.S. and Iranian forces exchange fire amid an already fragile regional truce.

Pavithra George/Reuters

May 06, 2026

US 'not looking for a fight' with temporary operation to protect ships from Iran, Pentagon chief says

U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth looks on during a memorandum signing event hosted by U.S. President Donald Trump in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., May 5, 2026.

Evan Vucci/Reuters

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Tuesday (May 5) that a U.S. operation to protect commercial ships from Iran in the Strait of Hormuz is temporary and Washington is not looking for a fight.

"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." Hegseth said during a briefing.

U.S. President Donald Trump launched the operation, called Project Freedom, on Monday as he sought to wrest control of the critical waterway from Iran, which effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz after the U.S. and Israel started the conflict on February 28.

A fragile truce in the Middle East was under strain on Tuesday after the U.S. and Iran exchanged fire in the Gulf as they wrestled for control of the Strait of Hormuz.

-Pavithra George/Reuters