US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth defended a US operation to protect commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday, describing the blockade of Iranian ports as a 'gift to the world.' Speaking at a press conference, Hegseth asserted that the United States has established a 'powerful red, white, and blue dome' over the region and claimed that Iran no longer maintains control over the vital waterway.
While the Pentagon chief emphasized that the current operation is temporary and that Washington is not seeking a fight, the situation remains volatile. Hegseth explicitly told reporters, "The ceasefire is not over," attempting to downplay recent maritime tensions.
Escalating maritime claims
Recent developments suggest a widening struggle for territorial influence in the Gulf. Al Jazeera reported that the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) released a new map on Monday that claims an expanded area of maritime control. This map features two red lines stretching beyond the Strait of Hormuz to include portions of the United Arab Emirates' coastline.
According to Al Jazeera, the first line connects Iran’s Qeshm Island to the UAE’s Umm al Quwain emirate, while a second line links Iran’s Mount Mobarak to the UAE’s Fujairah. This expansion of claimed territory comes as the Strait of Hormuz remains a critical chokepoint, facilitating roughly one-quarter of the world's seaborne oil trade, as well as significant volumes of liquefied natural gas and fertilizers.
Conflicting narratives of control
The US administration's messaging appears aimed at stabilizing perceptions of the conflict. France 24's foreign affairs editor, Kethevane Gorjestani, observed that Hegseth’s comments are part of a broader Washington effort to 'reassure people the US is still in control' in the Middle East.
This push for reassurance occurs even as reports of direct confrontation persist. France 24 reported that the US and Iran have recently exchanged fire in the Gulf while simultaneously wrestling for control of the Strait of Hormuz. Despite these reported skirmishes, the US Defense Secretary maintains that the existing ceasefire remains intact.
