U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said that a fragile ceasefire with Iran remains in place despite continued clashes in the Gulf tied to tensions over the Strait of Hormuz. He accused Iran of acting as the “clear aggressor,” saying it is harassing civilian shipping and threatening international maritime traffic for financial gain. The U.S. military reported sinking six Iranian small boats and intercepting missiles and drones as part of an operation dubbed “Project Freedom,” launched after President Donald Trump ordered naval escorts for stranded tankers. The campaign is aimed at countering Iranian disruptions of global energy shipping through the strategic waterway. In response, Iran reportedly fired missiles at U.S. vessels and at the United Arab Emirates.