Joint Chiefs Chairman Dan Caine told reporters at the Pentagon on Tuesday that Iran’s recent acts of aggression are below the threshold of “major combat operations.” That means Tehran, in the Trump administration’s view, has not violated the tenuous ceasefire. “Since the ceasefire was announced, Iran has fired at commercial vessels nine times and seized two container ships, and they’ve attacked U.S. forces more than ten times – all below the threshold of restarting major combat operations at this point,” Caine said.
It is unclear what will follow after an American attempt to end Iran’s stranglehold on the strait by creating an “enhanced security area.” A prominent Iranian official accused the U.S. of undermining regional security with the effort and warned that Iran will respond.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio will travel to Rome and Vatican City this week in a bid to ease rising tensions between President Donald Trump and Pope Leo XIV over U.S. policies, particularly the Iran war.
The defense secretary confirmed that the ceasefire remains in effect despite some Iran strikes and the ongoing U.S. blockade.
“No, the ceasefire is not over,” Hegseth said, reaffirming Caine’s earlier statements.
Caine told reporters at the Pentagon on Tuesday that Iran’s recent acts of aggression are below the threshold of “major combat operations.”
That means Tehran, in the Trump administration’s view, has not violated the tenuous ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran.
“Since the ceasefire was announced, Iran has fired at commercial vessels nine times and seized two container ships, and they’ve attacked U.S. forces more than ten times – all below the threshold of restarting major combat operations at this point,” Caine said.
The administration has cited the ceasefire in asserting that the president does not have to give a formal update to Congress on the war under the War Powers Resolution. That law typically requires presidential updates on war activities 60 days after beginning military action.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.