US escort of ships through Hormuz is a ‘gift to the world,’ Hegseth says
But secretary says the escorts are temporary, and the world should “step up.”
Meghann Myers | May 5, 2026
Iran Pentagon White House Navy Army
The Trump administration has dubbed its military effort to escort commercial ships through the Strait of Hormuz “Project Freedom,” Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Tuesday, calling it “separate and distinct from Operation Epic Fury,” “defensive in nature,” and “temporary.”
Hegseth said that Epic Fury, the war begun in February by the U.S. and Israel against Iran, is on pause during the ongoing ceasefire, erroneously asserting that the “clock stops” on the 60-day limit imposed by the War Powers Resolution on U.S. military campaigns without congressional approval. Even if the U.S. is no longer dropping bombs on Iran, its continued blockade is an act of war on its own.
“As a direct gift from the United States to the world, we have established a powerful red, white and blue dome over the strait,” Hegseth said during a Pentagon press briefing.
https://www.defenseone.com/threats/2026/05/us-escort-ships-through-hormuz-gift-world-hegseth-says/413334/?oref=d1-homepage-river
