WEBVTT 00:00.009 --> 00:01.009 OK . 00:13.869 --> 00:15.925 Well , as you know , President Trump 00:15.925 --> 00:18.590 has directed US Central Command . To 00:18.590 --> 00:20.549 restart the free flow of commerce 00:20.549 --> 00:22.716 through the Strait of Hormuz under the 00:22.716 --> 00:25.200 umbrella of Project Freedom . To be 00:25.200 --> 00:28.409 clear , This operation is separate and 00:28.409 --> 00:30.770 distinct from Operation Epic Fury . 00:31.819 --> 00:34.097 Project Freedom is defensive in nature , 00:34.097 --> 00:36.909 focused in scope , and temporary in 00:36.909 --> 00:39.810 duration with one mission . Protecting 00:39.810 --> 00:41.830 innocent commercial shipping from 00:42.049 --> 00:45.810 Iranian aggression . American forces 00:45.810 --> 00:47.921 won't need to enter Iranian waters or 00:47.921 --> 00:50.159 airspace . It's not necessary . We're 00:50.159 --> 00:53.400 not looking for a fight , but Iran also 00:53.400 --> 00:55.400 cannot be allowed to block innocent 00:55.400 --> 00:57.289 countries and their goods from an 00:57.289 --> 01:00.450 international waterway . Iran is the 01:00.450 --> 01:03.250 clear aggressor , harassing civilian 01:03.250 --> 01:05.449 vessels , threatening mariners from 01:05.449 --> 01:09.419 every nation . Indiscriminately , And 01:09.419 --> 01:11.586 weaponizing a critical choke point for 01:11.586 --> 01:13.808 its own financial benefit , or at least 01:13.808 --> 01:16.389 trying to . For too long , Iran has 01:16.389 --> 01:18.333 been harassing ships , shooting at 01:18.333 --> 01:21.440 civilian tankers from all nations . And 01:21.440 --> 01:23.440 trying to impose a tolling system . 01:24.089 --> 01:27.099 Iran's plan , a form of international 01:27.099 --> 01:29.660 extortion , is unacceptable . 01:31.370 --> 01:35.050 That ends with Project Freedom . Two US 01:35.050 --> 01:37.410 commercial ships along with American 01:37.410 --> 01:39.209 destroyers have already safely 01:39.209 --> 01:41.569 transited the strait , showing the lane 01:41.569 --> 01:44.720 is clear . We know the Iranians are 01:44.720 --> 01:47.589 embarrassed by this fact . Uh , they 01:47.589 --> 01:49.756 said they control the strait . They do 01:49.756 --> 01:52.339 not . So American ships led the way , 01:52.430 --> 01:54.830 commercial and military , shouldering , 01:55.069 --> 01:57.180 shouldering the initial risk from the 01:57.180 --> 01:59.519 front as Americans always do . And 01:59.519 --> 02:01.575 right now , hundreds more ships from 02:01.575 --> 02:03.741 nations around the world are lining up 02:03.830 --> 02:07.120 to transit . Centcom along with partner 02:07.120 --> 02:09.342 nations is in active communication with 02:09.342 --> 02:11.630 hundreds of ships , shipping companies , 02:11.639 --> 02:14.380 and insurers . All of these ships from 02:14.380 --> 02:17.009 all around the world want to get out of 02:17.009 --> 02:19.440 the Iranian trap that they have been 02:19.440 --> 02:23.240 stuck inside . As a direct gift from 02:23.240 --> 02:25.639 the United States to the world , we 02:25.639 --> 02:27.861 have established a powerful red , white 02:27.861 --> 02:29.639 and blue dome over the strait . 02:30.729 --> 02:32.729 American destroyers are on stations 02:32.729 --> 02:34.951 supported by hundreds of fighter jets , 02:34.951 --> 02:37.173 helicopters , drones , and surveillance 02:37.173 --> 02:39.490 aircraft , providing 24/7 overwatch for 02:39.490 --> 02:43.440 peaceful commercial vessels , except 02:43.570 --> 02:46.080 Iran's , of course , which is why our 02:46.080 --> 02:48.889 ironclad blockade remains in full 02:48.889 --> 02:51.770 effect as well . In fact , 6 ships 02:51.770 --> 02:53.603 tried to run the blockade out of 02:53.603 --> 02:55.770 Iranian ports as Project Freedom 02:55.770 --> 02:58.289 commenced , and they were all turned 02:58.289 --> 03:01.369 around . This is more than strategy , 03:01.410 --> 03:03.490 it's also humanitarian . By breaking 03:03.490 --> 03:06.050 Iran's illegal stranglehold , we're 03:06.050 --> 03:08.272 protecting the lives and livelihoods of 03:08.272 --> 03:10.217 sailors from dozens of countries , 03:10.217 --> 03:12.330 securing global energy routes and 03:12.330 --> 03:14.219 preventing shortages that hit the 03:14.219 --> 03:16.274 world's poorest people the hardest . 03:16.274 --> 03:18.163 Once again , America is using its 03:18.163 --> 03:20.770 strength to lift up others . Iran is 03:20.770 --> 03:24.759 trying to subjugate the world . To what 03:24.759 --> 03:27.039 remains of Iran's forces , if you 03:27.039 --> 03:28.983 attack American troops or innocent 03:28.983 --> 03:30.983 commercial shipping , you will face 03:30.983 --> 03:33.460 overwhelming and devastating American 03:33.460 --> 03:35.682 firepower . The president has been very 03:35.682 --> 03:38.610 clear about this . We prefer this to be 03:38.610 --> 03:40.832 a peaceful operation but are locked and 03:40.832 --> 03:43.550 loaded to defend our people , our ships , 03:43.770 --> 03:46.229 our aircraft , and this mission without 03:46.500 --> 03:49.600 hesitation . To Iran , let innocent 03:49.600 --> 03:52.940 ships pass freely . These international 03:52.940 --> 03:56.220 waters belong to all nations , not to 03:56.220 --> 03:59.520 Iran , to tax , toll or control . 04:00.830 --> 04:02.886 To our partner , partners , allies , 04:02.910 --> 04:05.259 and the rest of the world , this is a 04:05.259 --> 04:08.479 temporary mission for us . As I've said 04:08.479 --> 04:10.646 before , the world needs this waterway 04:10.646 --> 04:13.309 a lot more than we do . We're 04:13.309 --> 04:15.420 stabilizing the situation so commerce 04:15.420 --> 04:17.365 can flow again , but we expect the 04:17.365 --> 04:20.440 world to step up . At the appropriate 04:20.440 --> 04:21.980 time and soon we will hand 04:21.980 --> 04:25.450 responsibility back to you . To the 04:25.450 --> 04:27.450 incredible Americans executing this 04:27.450 --> 04:29.617 mission right now , simply thank you . 04:30.170 --> 04:32.226 Your courage , your readiness , your 04:32.226 --> 04:34.649 unmatched professionalism and precision 04:35.049 --> 04:37.105 are why the world can breathe easier 04:37.170 --> 04:39.059 today and every day . You are and 04:39.059 --> 04:41.114 always will be the greatest fighting 04:41.114 --> 04:43.170 force in human history , unmatched , 04:43.170 --> 04:46.010 always . Project Freedom is underway . 04:46.549 --> 04:48.950 Commerce will be flowing , and America 04:48.950 --> 04:51.061 is once again leading with strength , 04:51.061 --> 04:53.172 clarity , and purpose for the benefit 04:53.172 --> 04:56.369 of the entire world . Our will is 04:56.709 --> 04:59.820 unshakable . God bless our troops and 04:59.820 --> 05:02.042 God bless the mighty United States Navy 05:02.042 --> 05:04.264 as well , Mr . Chairman . Over to you . 05:04.264 --> 05:06.376 Thank you , Mr . Secretary , and good 05:06.376 --> 05:05.970 morning , everyone . Thanks for being 05:05.970 --> 05:08.026 here . On Sunday at the direction of 05:08.026 --> 05:10.309 the president , CENTCOM initiated 05:10.309 --> 05:12.420 Project Freedom with the objective of 05:12.420 --> 05:15.239 facilitating . The safe passage of 05:15.239 --> 05:17.128 international commercial shipping 05:17.128 --> 05:19.350 through the Strait of Hormuz . Over the 05:19.350 --> 05:21.410 past 7 weeks , Iran's repeatedly 05:21.410 --> 05:23.354 threatened and attacked commercial 05:23.354 --> 05:25.529 shipping in the Strait in order to 05:25.529 --> 05:27.696 effectively cut off commercial traffic 05:27.696 --> 05:30.239 and damage the global economy by 05:30.239 --> 05:32.239 obstructing one of the world's most 05:32.239 --> 05:34.461 critical maritime checkpoints , a vital 05:34.461 --> 05:37.529 transit route for approximately 15% of 05:37.529 --> 05:40.000 the global oil consumption . Iran is 05:40.000 --> 05:42.111 weaponizing the global supply chain . 05:42.459 --> 05:44.880 This action disregards established 05:45.059 --> 05:47.226 navigational rights and the law of the 05:47.226 --> 05:50.140 sea , and the regime led by the IRGC is 05:50.140 --> 05:52.084 effectively attempting to hold the 05:52.084 --> 05:54.859 entire global economy hostage . Let me 05:54.859 --> 05:57.081 give you an update of the last few days 05:57.081 --> 05:59.248 of activities , and if you take a look 05:59.248 --> 06:01.470 at the map here , um , as the Secretary 06:01.470 --> 06:03.081 said , the United States has 06:03.081 --> 06:05.248 established Project Freedom to open up 06:05.248 --> 06:07.248 the Strait of Hormuz . This graphic 06:07.248 --> 06:09.470 highlights the kinetic engagements that 06:09.470 --> 06:11.581 the Iranians have attempted . To make 06:11.581 --> 06:13.769 or have taken against the the region . 06:13.980 --> 06:16.579 The green dots and blue dots show the 06:16.579 --> 06:18.769 groupings of commercial cargo and 06:18.769 --> 06:21.779 tanker vessels , and the United States 06:21.779 --> 06:24.459 has established a significant presence 06:24.459 --> 06:26.929 over the strait here in order to open 06:26.929 --> 06:29.040 up the free flow of commerce , noting 06:29.040 --> 06:32.899 the blockade still continues along the 06:32.899 --> 06:35.500 eastern flank . The map shows the 06:35.500 --> 06:38.140 examples and samples of Iranian attacks 06:38.140 --> 06:40.029 against commercial vessels in the 06:40.029 --> 06:42.251 strait , as well as the Gulf of Gulf of 06:42.251 --> 06:44.600 Oman . And up in the Arabian Gulf 06:44.600 --> 06:47.279 Arabian Gulf since the ceasefire was 06:47.279 --> 06:49.070 announced , Iran has fired at 06:49.070 --> 06:52.429 commercial vessels 9 times and seized 2 06:52.429 --> 06:54.790 container ships , and they've attacked 06:54.790 --> 06:57.029 US forces more than 10 times , all 06:57.029 --> 07:00.839 below the threshold of restarting major 07:00.839 --> 07:03.519 combat operations at this point . You 07:03.519 --> 07:05.630 can also see the group of tankers and 07:05.630 --> 07:07.852 cargo vessels in the US blockade line , 07:07.852 --> 07:10.220 as I mentioned . As a result of Iran's 07:10.220 --> 07:12.179 indiscriminate attacks across the 07:12.179 --> 07:13.980 region , there are currently 07:13.980 --> 07:17.160 22,500 mariners 07:17.420 --> 07:21.179 embarked on more than 1550 07:21.179 --> 07:23.500 commercial vessels trapped in the 07:23.500 --> 07:26.940 Arabian Gulf , unable to transit . In 07:26.940 --> 07:29.869 addition , To shipping , Iran has 07:29.869 --> 07:31.925 continued to deliberately attack its 07:31.925 --> 07:34.109 neighbors . Just yesterday , Iran 07:34.109 --> 07:37.589 attacked Oman once and the UAE 3 times , 07:37.829 --> 07:40.179 including an attack on Fujaira oil 07:40.179 --> 07:42.068 terminal , which was successfully 07:42.068 --> 07:44.190 defeated . They also launched cruise 07:44.190 --> 07:46.510 missiles , drones , small boats at US 07:46.510 --> 07:48.732 forces defending commercial shipping in 07:48.732 --> 07:51.309 the Straits . And United States Navy MH 07:51.309 --> 07:54.760 60 helicopters and Army AH 64 Apache 07:54.760 --> 07:57.760 helicopters successfully defeated those 07:57.760 --> 08:00.119 threats . Thus far , uh , today is 08:00.119 --> 08:02.160 quieter . Let me describe this 08:02.160 --> 08:04.359 defensive operation just a few clicks 08:04.359 --> 08:06.526 down for you . As the secretary said , 08:06.640 --> 08:09.119 Project Freedom is designed to protect 08:09.119 --> 08:11.869 commercial shipping and help restore 08:11.869 --> 08:14.160 the flow of commerce through the strait 08:14.160 --> 08:17.670 and sustain freedom of navigation . CEO 08:17.670 --> 08:20.320 has established an enhanced security 08:20.320 --> 08:22.880 area on the southern side of the strait 08:23.160 --> 08:26.029 that is now protected by US land , 08:26.269 --> 08:29.000 naval , and air assets to help defeat 08:29.000 --> 08:31.220 further Iranian aggression against 08:31.369 --> 08:33.880 commercial shipping . I'd like to share 08:33.880 --> 08:36.539 a little bit more about US capabilities , 08:36.840 --> 08:39.150 but for operational security purposes , 08:39.200 --> 08:41.144 I'm not going to get into specific 08:41.144 --> 08:43.520 details out there . On the surface , 08:43.599 --> 08:45.599 guided missile destroyers and other 08:45.599 --> 08:48.119 warships are detecting and defeating 08:48.119 --> 08:50.239 Iranian threats . This includes fast 08:50.239 --> 08:52.719 boats and one-way attack drones . In 08:52.719 --> 08:55.320 the air . More than 100 fighters , 08:55.640 --> 08:57.807 attack aircraft , and other manned and 08:57.807 --> 09:00.559 unmanned aircraft synchronized by the 09:00.559 --> 09:03.359 82nd Airborne Division are in the air 09:03.359 --> 09:05.919 24 hours a day , providing defensive 09:05.919 --> 09:08.640 overwatch for the enhanced security 09:08.640 --> 09:10.840 area and its approaches that I 09:10.840 --> 09:13.880 discussed . These forces are comprised 09:13.880 --> 09:17.280 of over 15,000 American service members 09:17.479 --> 09:20.559 and have established localized air and 09:20.559 --> 09:23.400 sea control to protect against Iranian 09:23.400 --> 09:26.039 threats . Commercial vessels that 09:26.039 --> 09:28.039 transit through the area will see , 09:28.320 --> 09:31.840 hear , and frankly feel US combat power 09:31.840 --> 09:34.599 around them on the sea , in the skies , 09:34.679 --> 09:37.169 and on the radio . And as of this 09:37.169 --> 09:40.039 morning , as was mentioned prior , 2 US 09:40.039 --> 09:42.206 flag merchant vessels have transited , 09:42.206 --> 09:44.679 and we anticipate more to transit over 09:44.679 --> 09:47.080 the coming days . Further up the Gulf , 09:47.400 --> 09:49.530 US Naval Forces Central Command 09:49.530 --> 09:51.909 continues to work to identify and 09:51.909 --> 09:55.010 mitigate any threats . Beyond Project 09:55.010 --> 09:57.121 Freedom , CENTCOM and the rest of the 09:57.121 --> 09:59.066 Joint Force remain ready to resume 09:59.066 --> 10:02.250 major combat operations against Iran if 10:02.250 --> 10:05.450 ordered to do so . No adversary should 10:05.450 --> 10:07.506 mistake our current restraint with a 10:07.506 --> 10:09.728 lack of resolve , and the president has 10:09.728 --> 10:12.090 said , as the Secretary has , that now 10:12.090 --> 10:14.450 is the time for those with equity stake 10:14.450 --> 10:17.369 in the strait to come assist . Before I 10:17.369 --> 10:19.536 turn it back to the Secretary , I want 10:19.536 --> 10:21.591 to take a moment to highlight . Uh , 10:21.591 --> 10:23.591 part of our joint force today , and 10:23.591 --> 10:25.313 today I want to talk about the 10:25.313 --> 10:27.480 paratroopers of the United States Army 10:27.480 --> 10:29.702 8-secondnd Airborne Division . When the 10:29.702 --> 10:31.480 president or the Secretary need 10:31.480 --> 10:33.369 immediate , scalable , and lethal 10:33.369 --> 10:35.536 combat power in Centcom or elsewhere , 10:35.536 --> 10:37.647 the All-American Division answers the 10:37.647 --> 10:39.840 call . The 82nd is the core of our 10:39.840 --> 10:41.951 nation's immediate response force and 10:41.951 --> 10:44.440 ready to deploy within hours of notice . 10:44.840 --> 10:46.729 These paratroopers are capable of 10:46.729 --> 10:49.520 accomplishing any mission . In any 10:49.520 --> 10:51.409 environment constantly training , 10:51.409 --> 10:53.631 constantly ready to jump from Air Force 10:53.631 --> 10:56.359 aircraft into ground combat and seize 10:56.359 --> 10:58.820 key terrain if ordered to do so just 10:58.820 --> 11:01.219 like their predecessors did in Sicily 11:01.400 --> 11:03.799 and Normandy in World War II or to 11:03.799 --> 11:06.960 secure or enable the . Follow on forces 11:06.960 --> 11:09.330 to flow into theater as they did in 11:09.330 --> 11:11.719 Grenada or Panama . They can do the 11:11.719 --> 11:13.119 range of missions from 11:13.119 --> 11:15.849 counterinsurgency to counterterrorism 11:15.849 --> 11:18.119 operations to power projection as they 11:18.119 --> 11:20.830 have many times over the course of the 11:20.830 --> 11:22.941 history of this great division . They 11:22.941 --> 11:25.163 can do all these things because they're 11:25.163 --> 11:27.950 incredibly well trained . Well equipped 11:28.119 --> 11:30.559 and well led , but also because of the 11:30.559 --> 11:33.200 indomitable spirit of the all-American 11:33.200 --> 11:35.599 paratrooper , every single one of them 11:35.599 --> 11:37.640 volunteered for this , uh , role , 11:37.760 --> 11:40.038 volunteered to go to airborne training , 11:40.038 --> 11:42.038 and volunteered to serve . But this 11:42.038 --> 11:43.919 division is now more than just a 11:43.919 --> 11:45.863 formation that we use for forcible 11:45.863 --> 11:48.880 entries . For example , just today they 11:48.880 --> 11:50.491 are out there coordinating , 11:50.491 --> 11:52.658 integrating , and synchronizing land . 11:53.409 --> 11:56.719 Air , space , sea , and cyber forces 11:57.020 --> 11:59.500 using all joint all domain command and 11:59.500 --> 12:01.840 control . They use next generation 12:01.840 --> 12:04.429 tactical networks that are AI enabled 12:04.429 --> 12:06.890 to augment intelligence and operations , 12:07.179 --> 12:09.780 and they seamlessly synchronize all of 12:09.780 --> 12:12.659 these effects and are doing so in 12:12.659 --> 12:14.979 support of Project Freedom as we speak . 12:15.340 --> 12:18.460 The relentless focus on technical 12:18.460 --> 12:21.239 innovation . Allows the commanders out 12:21.239 --> 12:24.119 there in the field to see , sense , and 12:24.119 --> 12:26.230 understand the opportunities that are 12:26.230 --> 12:28.008 in front of them along with the 12:28.008 --> 12:30.880 associated risks and make smart 12:30.880 --> 12:32.880 decisions out on the objective with 12:32.880 --> 12:34.880 incredible courage , tenacity , and 12:34.880 --> 12:38.280 grit . They are going all the way every 12:38.280 --> 12:40.336 day and whenever the nation calls on 12:40.336 --> 12:42.336 them , they are there to answer the 12:42.336 --> 12:44.169 call . We are grateful for their 12:44.169 --> 12:47.059 service and their leadership . Lastly , 12:47.270 --> 12:49.492 before I close , as I often do , I want 12:49.492 --> 12:51.750 to remember some of our fallen . Today 12:51.750 --> 12:54.140 we remember Sergeant William Rivers , 12:54.549 --> 12:56.830 Specialist Brianna Moffatt , and 12:56.830 --> 13:00.369 Specialist Kennedy Sanders of the 718th 13:00.549 --> 13:03.729 Engineering Company , US Army Reserves 13:03.869 --> 13:06.030 out of Fort Benning , Georgia . They 13:06.030 --> 13:08.659 were tragically killed on January 28th , 13:08.950 --> 13:12.590 2024 when attacked by an Iranian-backed 13:12.590 --> 13:15.590 proxy force at Tower 22 in Jordan . 13:16.239 --> 13:18.539 We continue to carry on their memories . 13:18.760 --> 13:20.909 We remember their names . We remember 13:20.909 --> 13:23.076 their families , and the secretary and 13:23.076 --> 13:25.131 I are deeply grateful for all of our 13:25.131 --> 13:27.353 deployed forces who are out there doing 13:27.353 --> 13:29.687 our nation's work . And sir , with that , 13:29.687 --> 13:31.880 I'll kick it back over to you . We'll 13:31.880 --> 13:34.880 take a few questions . Go ahead . Thank 13:34.880 --> 13:37.719 you . Um , Alexandra Ingersoll , One 13:37.719 --> 13:40.590 America News . Do you assess , Mr . 13:40.599 --> 13:42.710 Secretary , do you assess what's left 13:42.710 --> 13:44.543 of this small boat fleet to be a 13:44.543 --> 13:47.039 significant threat or a nuisance to be 13:47.039 --> 13:49.261 managed ? And then , secondly , what is 13:49.261 --> 13:51.317 your message to critics who say that 13:51.317 --> 13:53.483 the US doesn't have a strategy in this 13:53.483 --> 13:55.706 mission ? Well , any threat needs to be 13:55.706 --> 13:57.817 taken seriously , uh , and , and just 13:57.817 --> 13:59.761 like those 6 attack boats that the 13:59.761 --> 14:01.983 chairman mentioned were taken seriously 14:01.983 --> 14:04.206 and , and , and dealt with before there 14:04.206 --> 14:06.150 were any real threat , uh , to the 14:06.150 --> 14:08.261 American military vessels , uh , that 14:08.261 --> 14:10.372 they were approaching , and that is a 14:10.372 --> 14:12.595 small craft like that are all that Iran 14:12.595 --> 14:14.650 has left . Uh , their ability to get 14:14.650 --> 14:16.872 close with , uh , uh , uh , a destroyer 14:16.872 --> 14:18.983 of , of the capabilities that we have 14:18.983 --> 14:21.150 is , is , is limited , but we're gonna 14:21.150 --> 14:23.039 take it very seriously and . Uh , 14:23.039 --> 14:25.206 kinetically , quickly , uh , we're not 14:25.206 --> 14:27.317 gonna allow a threat to gather , uh , 14:27.317 --> 14:29.317 and I can tell you , uh , even from 14:29.317 --> 14:31.428 just this morning , uh , the strategy 14:31.428 --> 14:33.595 remains laser focused . Uh , in fact , 14:33.595 --> 14:33.190 what I think you see from Project 14:33.190 --> 14:35.134 Freedom is that we're not allowing 14:35.134 --> 14:37.246 ourselves to get distracted . We're , 14:37.246 --> 14:39.523 this is a separate and distinct effort , 14:39.523 --> 14:39.390 temporary nature that we plan to hand 14:39.390 --> 14:41.112 over the world . The world has 14:41.112 --> 14:43.446 expressed a desire to be a part of this , 14:43.469 --> 14:45.950 as is often the case or maybe almost 14:45.950 --> 14:48.061 always the case . American leadership 14:48.061 --> 14:50.006 is required , so the president was 14:50.006 --> 14:52.228 willing to undertake . Take this , send 14:52.228 --> 14:54.006 commercial ships through , send 14:54.006 --> 14:55.950 destroyers in , provide this red , 14:55.950 --> 14:58.172 white , and blue bubble of protection , 14:58.172 --> 15:00.117 and encourage the world to step up 15:00.117 --> 15:02.228 because ultimately this waterway is , 15:02.228 --> 15:04.283 is , as I said , far more crucial to 15:04.283 --> 15:06.394 the rest of the world , and they need 15:06.394 --> 15:06.362 to have the ability to defend it . So I 15:06.362 --> 15:08.529 think this is a reflection of a , of a 15:08.529 --> 15:10.640 laser focused strategy actually right 15:10.640 --> 15:12.806 here . Good morning , Mr . Secretary , 15:12.806 --> 15:14.862 Mr . Chairman . David , is he a real 15:14.862 --> 15:14.716 America's voice . I wanted to ask you 15:14.716 --> 15:16.938 of any of the fast boats that have been 15:16.938 --> 15:19.049 either sunk or identified , are there 15:19.049 --> 15:21.383 any armaments larger than , say , small , 15:21.383 --> 15:23.605 uh , you know , AK-47 type stuff or any 15:23.605 --> 15:25.772 anti-ship cruise missiles identified ? 15:25.772 --> 15:27.938 And my second question is , if there's 15:27.938 --> 15:30.105 a divide between the IRGC and Tehran , 15:30.105 --> 15:32.216 is there a way to get Tehran to agree 15:32.216 --> 15:34.596 to let us go after the IRGC , um , that , 15:34.716 --> 15:36.835 that is doing these attacks , um , 15:36.875 --> 15:39.760 without violating the ceasefire ? Well , 15:40.049 --> 15:42.271 right now anything coming at our crafts 15:42.271 --> 15:44.605 regardless of what's on it is , is , uh , 15:44.605 --> 15:46.493 is has to be defended against and 15:46.493 --> 15:48.716 that's the case . I don't know what the 15:48.716 --> 15:50.938 exact armaments that were on those fast 15:50.938 --> 15:53.105 boats , small arms , nothing , nothing 15:53.105 --> 15:55.271 significant on the fast boats , rifles 15:55.271 --> 15:57.493 or small machine guns . Uh , there were 15:57.493 --> 15:59.716 some small coastal cruise missiles shot 15:59.716 --> 16:01.882 down as well , so there's been there , 16:01.882 --> 16:04.105 I think that there's some frothiness in 16:04.105 --> 16:06.327 the beginning aspects of this that were 16:06.327 --> 16:05.729 dealt with very directly by our 16:05.729 --> 16:07.229 destroyers and , and we're 16:07.229 --> 16:09.755 communicating both over . Overtly and 16:09.765 --> 16:12.554 and quietly to the Iranians to uh allow 16:12.554 --> 16:14.665 this defensive operation to happen on 16:14.665 --> 16:16.721 behalf of the world . uh , there are 16:16.721 --> 16:18.832 some actions the IRGC takes sometimes 16:18.832 --> 16:20.832 that are outside the bounds of what 16:20.832 --> 16:22.998 maybe Iranian negotiators would like . 16:22.998 --> 16:25.221 Uh , that's their job to rein that in , 16:25.221 --> 16:27.387 uh , and ultimately create a condition 16:27.387 --> 16:29.165 for a deal , right ? That's not 16:29.165 --> 16:28.494 something I talked about in these 16:28.494 --> 16:30.661 remarks , but that's happening in real 16:30.661 --> 16:33.164 time . Iran has an ability , uh , to 16:33.164 --> 16:34.942 make that deal , but what we're 16:34.942 --> 16:37.053 demonstrating with Project Freedom is 16:37.053 --> 16:39.331 they don't control the strait . I mean , 16:39.331 --> 16:41.553 we know Iran is embarrassed by the fact 16:41.553 --> 16:43.664 that our blockade is holding , and we 16:43.664 --> 16:45.886 can run ships through , and we're going 16:45.886 --> 16:45.799 to help the world run ships through , 16:46.059 --> 16:48.337 uh , and if they hold it at issue , uh , 16:48.337 --> 16:50.503 the whole world knows who's doing it . 16:50.503 --> 16:52.670 It's not us , we're willing to open it 16:52.670 --> 16:54.837 up , uh , it's Iran , and that creates 16:54.837 --> 16:54.219 a dilemma for them . We hope they make 16:54.219 --> 16:56.520 a deal . Yes , thank you , sir . My 16:56.520 --> 16:58.576 first question is for General Kane , 16:58.576 --> 17:00.798 Mary Margaret with the Daily Wire . You 17:00.798 --> 17:02.853 said that the attacks by Iran so far 17:02.853 --> 17:04.964 are below the threshold of restarting 17:04.964 --> 17:07.131 major combat operations . What is that 17:07.131 --> 17:09.040 threshold ? And then , uh , for 17:09.040 --> 17:11.040 Secretary Hegseth , are there still 17:11.040 --> 17:13.096 concerns about mines in the strait ? 17:13.096 --> 17:14.984 And can you kind of clarify these 17:15.199 --> 17:17.421 reports of kamikaze dolphins that we've 17:17.421 --> 17:19.310 heard about ? I haven't heard the 17:19.310 --> 17:21.329 kamikaze dolphin thing . It's like 17:21.329 --> 17:23.859 sharks with laser beams , right ? Um , 17:24.020 --> 17:26.530 uh , the threshold of restarting is a 17:26.530 --> 17:28.752 political decision above my pay grade . 17:28.752 --> 17:30.752 What I'll say is it's low harassing 17:30.752 --> 17:32.919 fire right now . It feels like Iran is 17:32.919 --> 17:34.770 grasping at straws to try to do 17:34.770 --> 17:36.930 something across the southern flank . 17:37.339 --> 17:39.450 To , to your question , David , their 17:39.450 --> 17:41.561 command and control structure remains 17:41.561 --> 17:43.579 very fractured , and , uh , I think 17:43.579 --> 17:45.746 they're struggling to maintain control 17:45.746 --> 17:48.079 down echelon at the edge , but Um , 17:48.170 --> 17:50.170 we're still , it's still pretty low 17:50.170 --> 17:52.337 level kinetics at this point in time , 17:52.359 --> 17:54.192 uh , and I can't confirm or deny 17:54.192 --> 17:56.470 whether we have kamikaze dolphins , uh , 17:56.470 --> 17:58.470 but I can confirm they don't . Uh , 17:58.540 --> 18:02.439 ultimately , uh , the , any follow-on 18:02.439 --> 18:04.495 effort if there are mines identified 18:04.495 --> 18:06.550 would be something that , uh , our , 18:06.550 --> 18:08.661 our some of our units could undertake 18:08.661 --> 18:10.606 or the world could undertake . But 18:10.606 --> 18:10.160 right now we know we have a lane of 18:10.160 --> 18:12.271 safe passage that commercial shipping 18:12.271 --> 18:14.216 can , uh , can flow through . Uh , 18:14.216 --> 18:16.271 thank you , Secretary Hexseth . Um , 18:16.271 --> 18:18.382 last 24 hours or so , Iran's fired at 18:18.382 --> 18:20.549 us . We fired at Iran . Just gonna ask 18:20.549 --> 18:22.604 you more directly , is the ceasefire 18:22.604 --> 18:26.579 over ? No , the ceasefire is not over . 18:26.699 --> 18:28.866 Uh , ultimately this is a separate and 18:28.866 --> 18:31.459 distinct project , uh , and we expected 18:31.459 --> 18:34.550 there would be some . Uh , some churn 18:34.650 --> 18:36.872 at the beginning which , which happened 18:36.872 --> 18:39.039 and we said we would defend and defend 18:39.039 --> 18:41.150 aggressively and we absolutely have . 18:41.150 --> 18:43.372 Iran knows that , uh , and ultimately , 18:43.372 --> 18:45.261 uh , the president's gonna make a 18:45.261 --> 18:45.050 decision whether anything were to 18:45.050 --> 18:46.772 escalate into a violation of a 18:46.772 --> 18:48.994 ceasefire , but certainly we would urge 18:48.994 --> 18:50.920 Iran to be prudent , uh , in the 18:50.920 --> 18:52.920 actions that they take to keep that 18:52.920 --> 18:54.920 underneath this threshold . This is 18:54.920 --> 18:56.809 about the straits . This is about 18:56.809 --> 18:58.920 freedom of navigation . This is about 18:58.920 --> 19:01.142 international waterways . This is about 19:01.142 --> 19:00.969 free flow of commerce , all the things 19:00.969 --> 19:03.130 that happened before . Uh , and only 19:03.130 --> 19:05.352 Iran is contesting , uh , so , so right 19:05.352 --> 19:07.686 now the , the ceasefire certainly holds , 19:07.686 --> 19:10.019 but , uh , we're gonna be watching very , 19:10.019 --> 19:12.186 very closely . Absolutely , James , go 19:12.186 --> 19:14.241 ahead , Mr . Secretary . Thank you , 19:14.241 --> 19:16.352 General . Thank you . I want to first 19:16.352 --> 19:18.574 express my gratitude and admiration for 19:18.574 --> 19:20.408 the work you do and for everyone 19:20.408 --> 19:22.519 involved in our armed forces and also 19:22.519 --> 19:22.489 for the accomplishments of Operation 19:22.489 --> 19:24.569 Epic , uh , Fury , which I think are 19:24.569 --> 19:27.250 too often , uh , uh , dismissed too 19:27.250 --> 19:29.089 lightly , uh , but those 19:29.089 --> 19:31.430 accomplishments don't obscure , I think . 19:31.900 --> 19:34.859 A central default that has occurred 19:34.859 --> 19:36.859 here , and I would like you both to 19:36.859 --> 19:38.970 address it . On the first day of this 19:38.970 --> 19:41.270 conflict , President Trump . Addressed 19:41.270 --> 19:43.437 the Iranian people directly and said , 19:43.437 --> 19:45.492 when we're finished , take over your 19:45.492 --> 19:47.603 government . It'll be yours to take . 19:48.280 --> 19:50.613 And then on the 7th day of the conflict , 19:50.810 --> 19:52.977 in a Truth Social post , the president 19:52.977 --> 19:55.032 said , quote , There will be no deal 19:55.032 --> 19:57.209 with Iran except all caps 19:58.209 --> 20:01.949 unconditional surrender . What happens 20:01.949 --> 20:05.229 to that pledge to the Iranians and when 20:05.229 --> 20:07.849 did the president decide to capitulate 20:07.900 --> 20:09.969 on his demand for unconditional 20:09.969 --> 20:12.080 surrender ? Well James , I wouldn't , 20:12.080 --> 20:13.969 uh , I wouldn't , you started out 20:13.969 --> 20:16.191 nicely , but you ended exactly where we 20:16.191 --> 20:18.413 knew you would end . Uh , the president 20:18.413 --> 20:20.525 hasn't capitulated on anything . Uh , 20:20.525 --> 20:22.747 he holds the cards . We remain the , we 20:22.747 --> 20:24.747 maintain the upper hand and Project 20:24.747 --> 20:26.913 Freedom only strengthens that hand and 20:26.913 --> 20:29.136 so he will ensure that whatever deal is 20:29.136 --> 20:31.358 made or whatever end state is reached . 20:31.358 --> 20:33.525 Uh , creates , uh , ensuring that Iran 20:33.525 --> 20:35.747 never has a nuclear weapon , which is a 20:35.747 --> 20:35.510 number one , and he's been focused on 20:35.510 --> 20:37.732 that , and the deal and discussions are 20:37.732 --> 20:39.954 centered on that . And what the Iranian 20:39.954 --> 20:42.177 people take advantage of after the fact 20:42.177 --> 20:42.140 is up to them , and he's been very 20:42.140 --> 20:44.307 clear about that . And maybe you do it 20:44.307 --> 20:46.251 now , maybe it happens later , but 20:46.251 --> 20:48.469 ultimately he . He's also been clear 20:48.469 --> 20:50.580 we're not going to entangle this into 20:50.580 --> 20:52.525 some nation building project . Our 20:52.525 --> 20:54.358 objectives are clear . They're , 20:54.358 --> 20:56.358 they're , uh , they've been pursued 20:56.358 --> 20:58.413 from day one . Hopefully the Iranian 20:58.413 --> 21:00.525 people take advantage of that because 21:00.525 --> 21:02.525 they're being taken advantage of by 21:02.525 --> 21:04.580 this regime , as you know , 45,000 . 21:04.580 --> 21:06.630 Iranians , innocent Iranians killed 21:06.959 --> 21:09.181 before the outset of this . That's what 21:09.181 --> 21:11.237 this government does kills their own 21:11.237 --> 21:13.348 innocent civilians . Getting out from 21:13.348 --> 21:15.459 underneath that is , is going to be a 21:15.459 --> 21:14.530 challenge of the Iranian people , and 21:14.530 --> 21:16.641 we certainly hope they take advantage 21:16.641 --> 21:19.050 of that . Thank you . I have one follow , 21:20.000 --> 21:21.944 please go ahead . Everybody else , 21:21.944 --> 21:24.222 everybody else follows . Just go ahead . 21:24.222 --> 21:26.278 Thank you , Mr . Secretary . Can you 21:26.278 --> 21:28.278 share any information regarding the 21:28.278 --> 21:30.389 South Korean ship that was reportedly 21:30.389 --> 21:32.556 hit by Iran ? Is Seoul in contact with 21:32.556 --> 21:34.778 the US military about it ? And is there 21:34.778 --> 21:34.564 any indication that they would heed 21:34.564 --> 21:36.685 Trump's call made on social media to 21:36.685 --> 21:38.744 join Project Freedom ? We hope so . 21:39.084 --> 21:40.973 We're in contact with that ship , 21:40.973 --> 21:43.084 Centcom , I should say . Uh , and the 21:43.084 --> 21:45.251 maritime coordination forces are , are 21:45.251 --> 21:47.362 in touch , and I think targeting like 21:47.362 --> 21:48.917 that is a reflection of the 21:48.917 --> 21:51.028 indiscriminate nature of what Iran is 21:51.028 --> 21:53.195 doing . We hope South Korea would step 21:53.195 --> 21:55.306 up just like we hope Japan would step 21:55.306 --> 21:55.109 up , just like we hope Australia would 21:55.109 --> 21:57.053 step up , just like we hope Europe 21:57.053 --> 21:59.109 steps up , but we're not waiting for 21:59.109 --> 22:01.165 them to do so . We're looking to set 22:01.165 --> 22:03.220 the conditions to hand to them . But 22:03.220 --> 22:02.989 the president was clear in his truth 22:02.989 --> 22:05.267 message that , hey , this is your ship . 22:05.267 --> 22:07.211 You should take part in helping to 22:07.211 --> 22:09.433 defend it . Uh , we very much hope they 22:09.433 --> 22:11.433 do . Go ahead . Mr . Secretary , in 22:11.433 --> 22:13.609 terms of new US intelligence reports 22:13.609 --> 22:15.720 suggest that the timeline for the war 22:15.720 --> 22:17.942 in Iran to get a nuclear weapon has not 22:17.942 --> 22:20.109 changed since last summer , still at 9 22:20.109 --> 22:22.109 to 12 months . Is that intelligence 22:22.109 --> 22:21.800 wrong ? How can this be after so much 22:21.800 --> 22:23.967 bombing ? And for General Kane , going 22:23.967 --> 22:26.022 back on what you're talking about in 22:26.022 --> 22:28.078 the Strait of Hormuz , the president 22:28.078 --> 22:28.040 recently said that the blockade is even 22:28.040 --> 22:30.096 more effective than bombing . So why 22:30.096 --> 22:32.207 didn't we start the campaign with the 22:32.207 --> 22:34.207 blockade ? And initially , how many 22:34.207 --> 22:36.680 planned ships do you plan to or take 22:36.680 --> 22:38.847 through commercial ships to the Strait 22:38.847 --> 22:41.069 of Hormuz today or in the coming days ? 22:41.069 --> 22:43.180 Well , we don't discuss the specifics 22:43.180 --> 22:45.069 about intel and anybody that does 22:45.069 --> 22:47.180 shouldn't be , and I can't confirm or 22:47.180 --> 22:49.291 deny whether that is indeed correct , 22:49.300 --> 22:51.022 uh , speculation as far as I'm 22:51.022 --> 22:53.189 concerned , coming , coming from you , 22:53.189 --> 22:55.356 but ultimately what Operation Midnight 22:55.356 --> 22:57.578 Hammer did in the obliteration of those 22:57.578 --> 22:57.479 facilities was set back their program 22:57.699 --> 22:59.979 and then because of the efforts of the 22:59.979 --> 23:02.380 12 day war , the president was able to 23:02.380 --> 23:04.602 recognize that this threat , while they 23:04.602 --> 23:06.880 continued to seek nuclear capabilities , 23:06.880 --> 23:08.991 their , their will was still there to 23:08.991 --> 23:11.102 seek a nuclear bomb . Ultimately they 23:11.102 --> 23:13.213 were creating a conventional umbrella 23:13.213 --> 23:14.991 of so many missiles and so many 23:14.991 --> 23:17.158 capabilities that no one would want to 23:17.158 --> 23:16.160 challenge them . Think of the North 23:16.160 --> 23:17.938 Korea . This is the North Korea 23:17.938 --> 23:20.160 strategy . We have so many conventional 23:20.160 --> 23:22.160 capabilities you won't do something 23:22.160 --> 23:24.216 about it , and underneath that we're 23:24.216 --> 23:23.849 going to develop more nuclear 23:23.849 --> 23:25.905 capabilities . So the will was still 23:25.905 --> 23:28.127 there . President Trump had the courage 23:28.127 --> 23:30.349 to say we have to dismantle and take on 23:30.349 --> 23:32.460 those conventional capabilities while 23:32.460 --> 23:34.293 the , while the dust , while the 23:34.293 --> 23:36.516 nuclear facilities are watched 24/7 and 23:36.516 --> 23:38.682 overwatched , and we will ensure . One 23:38.682 --> 23:40.905 way or another , hopefully Iran chooses 23:40.905 --> 23:42.627 a deal that they give up those 23:42.627 --> 23:44.905 ambitions , give up those capabilities , 23:45.099 --> 23:47.155 uh , and , and we're able to confirm 23:47.155 --> 23:49.210 that every step of the way . So that 23:49.210 --> 23:51.432 has been President Trump's been focused 23:51.432 --> 23:53.377 on it . He's set them back like no 23:53.377 --> 23:55.321 other president . He ripped up the 23:55.321 --> 23:55.060 terrible deal that would have given 23:55.060 --> 23:57.185 them . He took care of it in Midnight 23:57.185 --> 23:59.352 Hammer . We're watching it right now , 23:59.352 --> 24:01.574 and ultimately feel good about the fact 24:01.574 --> 24:03.574 that the end state will ensure that 24:03.574 --> 24:05.629 Iran never has a nuclear weapon . Go 24:05.629 --> 24:07.796 ahead , sir . I'll let CENTCOM talk to 24:07.796 --> 24:09.852 the number of ships they're going to 24:09.852 --> 24:09.025 take through because they're the 24:09.025 --> 24:10.747 nearest ones to talking to the 24:10.747 --> 24:12.914 commercial shippers , and I don't want 24:12.914 --> 24:14.858 to get out in front of them on the 24:14.858 --> 24:17.025 order and sequence around the military 24:17.025 --> 24:18.969 objectives . That's a decision the 24:18.969 --> 24:21.081 president and the secretary go get us 24:21.081 --> 24:23.192 out . And at the time we were focused 24:23.192 --> 24:23.025 on the primary objectives that were in 24:23.025 --> 24:25.089 front of us . Thank you very . Um , 24:25.800 --> 24:27.967 Ryan Morgan with the Epic Times , uh , 24:27.967 --> 24:30.022 on Friday , President Trump notified 24:30.022 --> 24:31.967 Congress that the hostilities that 24:31.967 --> 24:33.967 began on February twenty-eighth had 24:33.967 --> 24:37.260 terminated , um . That came on 24:37.260 --> 24:40.859 the deadline of the 60 day war powers 24:40.859 --> 24:43.410 deadline . Um , will this 24:43.410 --> 24:45.632 administration be seeking congressional 24:45.632 --> 24:49.290 approval for any further military 24:49.290 --> 24:51.623 operations if the ceasefire breaks down ? 24:51.839 --> 24:55.219 Um Our , our , our view is , is the one 24:55.219 --> 24:57.540 you described that ultimately um with 24:57.540 --> 24:59.707 the with the ceasefire the clock stops 24:59.707 --> 25:01.929 if it were to restart that would be the 25:01.929 --> 25:04.151 president's decision , uh , that option 25:04.151 --> 25:06.207 is always there and , and , and Iran 25:06.207 --> 25:08.373 knows that and that's why you know the 25:08.373 --> 25:10.262 uh their their choices in Project 25:10.262 --> 25:12.373 Freedom are important . The president 25:12.373 --> 25:14.540 retains the uh the opportunity and the 25:14.540 --> 25:16.651 capabilities , more capabilities than 25:16.651 --> 25:18.818 we had at the start of this to restart 25:18.818 --> 25:20.984 major combat operations if necessary . 25:20.984 --> 25:22.818 If Iran is not willing to follow 25:22.818 --> 25:25.040 through on , on its side of the bargain 25:25.040 --> 25:26.707 or make a deal , then the War 25:26.707 --> 25:28.596 Department is postured , locked , 25:28.596 --> 25:30.707 loaded and ready to go . Uh , we hope 25:30.707 --> 25:33.040 it doesn't have to go in that direction . 25:33.040 --> 25:35.151 But Admiral Cooper and our forces are 25:35.151 --> 25:34.819 in a 3 point stance and ready to go . 25:34.900 --> 25:37.122 Yeah , last question . Thank you , Liam 25:37.122 --> 25:39.178 Cosgrove with zero hedge . In recent 25:39.178 --> 25:41.178 weeks , both Israeli Prime Minister 25:41.178 --> 25:43.400 Benjamin Netanyahu and Israel's head of 25:43.400 --> 25:45.567 Mossad have stated their intent not to 25:45.567 --> 25:47.650 cease combat with the Iranians . 25:47.979 --> 25:49.757 Netanyahu put this on Twitter . 25:49.757 --> 25:51.868 Israel's head of Mossad said Israel's 25:51.868 --> 25:53.701 goals are not finished until the 25:53.701 --> 25:55.812 Iranian government collapses . And so 25:55.812 --> 25:55.339 they're referring to the government 25:55.339 --> 25:57.339 that President Trump has brokered a 25:57.339 --> 25:59.283 ceasefire with and is working on a 25:59.283 --> 26:01.506 lasting peace . Um , in the region with 26:01.506 --> 26:03.561 and so that's , you know , something 26:03.561 --> 26:05.617 many Americans , especially American 26:05.617 --> 26:07.617 farmers are hoping he does get to a 26:07.617 --> 26:09.450 lasting peace . And , uh , so if 26:09.450 --> 26:09.420 President Trump is successful in that 26:09.420 --> 26:11.642 and the Israelis are explicitly stating 26:11.939 --> 26:14.106 their intent to continue fighting at a 26:14.106 --> 26:16.328 later date , how can you ensure America 26:16.328 --> 26:18.383 doesn't get roped back into a war if 26:18.383 --> 26:20.495 that comes ? And secondly , uh , with 26:20.495 --> 26:22.217 Netanyahu comfortable tweeting 26:22.217 --> 26:24.161 something like that out . And also 26:24.161 --> 26:26.383 Netanyahu has continued bombing Lebanon 26:26.383 --> 26:28.495 despite President Trump expressly say 26:28.495 --> 26:30.439 is based on the false premise that 26:30.439 --> 26:32.661 somehow President Trump is being pulled 26:32.661 --> 26:34.772 in by Prime Minister Netanyahu to any 26:34.772 --> 26:36.772 of these actions , and that's where 26:36.772 --> 26:36.530 you're going just to be clear , 26:36.859 --> 26:38.970 President Trump has led at every step 26:38.970 --> 26:41.081 of this based on his view of American 26:41.081 --> 26:43.303 interests and America first , and we're 26:43.303 --> 26:45.415 grateful that Israelis have been very 26:45.415 --> 26:47.692 capable partners at many steps of this , 26:47.692 --> 26:49.859 and they may have some objectives . At 26:49.859 --> 26:49.584 times that are slightly different than 26:49.584 --> 26:51.806 ours , but there's only one hand on the 26:51.806 --> 26:53.695 wheel ultimately directing this , 26:53.695 --> 26:55.473 whether it's Project Freedom or 26:55.473 --> 26:57.528 previously Operation Epic Fury , and 26:57.528 --> 26:59.306 it's President Trump . So we're 26:59.306 --> 27:01.140 grateful for their input , their 27:01.140 --> 27:03.195 insights , the existential nature of 27:03.195 --> 27:02.994 the threat they face from an Iranian 27:02.994 --> 27:05.105 bomb , the capabilities that they can 27:05.105 --> 27:07.665 bring to that , but ultimately the 27:07.665 --> 27:09.554 coordination will happen with the 27:09.554 --> 27:11.665 leadership of President Trump . Thank 27:11.665 --> 27:11.175 you very much . I appreciate it . Thank 27:11.175 --> 27:14.800 you . That's his operation