Pete Hegseth

We're not just a story.

We're not just headlines.

We're people.

People with families, with lives, with people waiting for us at home.

There's a lot of uncertainty, and that's the hardest part.

All we want right now is to feel safe, to have clarity, and to get home.

As you know, President Trump has directed U.S.

Central Command to restart the free flow of commerce through the Strait of Hormuz under the umbrella of Project Freedom.

To be clear,

This operation is separate and distinct from Operation Epic Fury.

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.

But Iran also cannot be allowed to block innocent countries and their goods from an international waterway.

Iran is the clear aggressor.

Direct gift from the United States to the world, we have established a powerful red, white, and blue dome over the street.

American destroyers are on station, supported by hundreds of fighter jets, helicopters, drones, and surveillance aircraft, providing 24-7 overwatch for peaceful commercial vessels.

Except Iran's, of course.

This is a temporary mission for us.