Pete Hegseth Says Iran Cease-Fire Still Intact Despite Surge In Attacks
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Tuesday that the cease-fire between the United States and Iran remains in effect, even as Iranian forces have launched multiple attacks against U.S. troops and commercial vessels in recent weeks.
Speaking at the Pentagon, Hegseth argued that the recent incidents do not rise to the level of breaking the cease-fire, describing them as part of a separate, lower-level phase of conflict. He emphasized that the U.S. would continue to defend its forces and interests aggressively while leaving escalation decisions to President Donald Trump.
“Not over,” Hegseth said when asked whether the cease-fire had collapsed. He added that the situation is being managed carefully to avoid triggering a broader return to full-scale combat.
According to Dan Caine, Iran has carried out more than 10 attacks on U.S. forces since the cease-fire began in early April. He also reported repeated harassment of commercial shipping, including gunfire directed at vessels and the seizure of cargo ships in the region.
Caine described the attacks as limited in scope, calling them “low, harassing fire,” and suggested Iran is attempting to project strength despite internal instability. He noted that Tehran appears to be testing boundaries without crossing the threshold that would prompt a major military response.
The U.S. has responded by launching a naval effort to secure the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping route. American forces have escorted commercial vessels through the waterway, with officials saying the goal is to ensure freedom of navigation and stabilize global trade flows.
Hegseth said the operation has already shown results, pointing to successful transits by U.S.-flagged ships under military protection. He rejected Iran’s claims of controlling the strait and framed the mission as a broader effort to protect international commerce.
The situation has left thousands of sailors and hundreds of ships effectively stuck in the region due to ongoing tensions. Oil prices have also surged amid the uncertainty, reflecting the global stakes tied to the waterway.
Officials also dismissed reports suggesting Iran might deploy unconventional tactics, including the use of trained marine animals for attacks, with both Hegseth and Caine treating such claims skeptically.
Despite the continued skirmishes, U.S. leadership maintains that the cease-fire framework is still holding, at least for now, as both sides appear to be operating below the threshold of renewed large-scale war.