Watch Live: Hegseth and Caine give an update on the Iran war as the ceasefire continues
Senior US military officers in uniform and civilians provide an update war in Iran Friday morning, as the US-Iran round ends you live in the area but both sides are increasing their competition to control shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Gen. Dan Caine, who is the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, has jointly spoken to reporters several times since Operation Epic Fury began in late February.
While hostilities between the US and Iran have been suspended, US forces have imposed restrictions on Iranian ports at the behest of President Trump, turning over 30 ships so far, according to the US Central Command. At the time, Iran wanted to control the movement of ships on the border, saying on Thursday that it had raised its first capital in the waterway, the most important chokepoint that often carries one-fifth of the world's oil.
Tensions have escalated in recent days, as the two countries have imposed tit-for-tat shipping restrictions. The US stopped and rode a pair Oil tankers are connected to Iran, and Iran attacked and said to have boarded at least two cargo ships in this problem.
Iran's Revolutionary Guards released a redacted video on Thursday that the military said showed masked commandos targeting cargo ships and boarding them. Government of the Philippines said The 15 Filipino sailors aboard the Iranian-captured vessels were “safe and unharmed.”
Mr. Trump said on Thursday that the US has “control” over the Strait of Hormuz. He also ordered the military to “shoot and kill” any Iranian ships trying to lay mines in the waters.
Shipping traffic at the border remains below pre-war levels.
Earlier this week, the president extended the ceasefire agreement with Iran for two weeks indefinitelygiving more time to what he described as a highly fragmented Iranian leadership to strike a deal with his administration. Mr. Trump told reporters on Thursday that he would continue to bombard Iran if it does not come to the negotiating table, but he is in no rush.
“I want to make the best possible deal. I can make a deal right now,” he said during an Oval Office event, later adding: “I don't want to rush myself.”
The suspension of the agreement between Israel and Lebanon was extended by three weeks on Thursday following White House negotiations between the delegations of the two countries. Lebanon could play an important role in any solution to the Iran conflict because of Israel's campaign against Iran's proxy group Hezbollah. Iran has forced Israel to pause fighting Hezbollah in Lebanon as part of a ceasefire.
This week was also marked by turmoil in the Pentagon, as Defense Secretary John Phelan he left his post with the direction of Mr. Trump and Hegseth. The president told reporters on Thursday that Phelan is a “good man” but has trouble getting along with others.
“He's a hard charger, and he had conflicts with other people,” said Mr. Trump. “We have to understand each other, especially in the military.”
