Hegseth Says U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Holds as Trump Cites Progress

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Tuesday that the ceasefire between the United States and Iran "certainly holds" for now, even as tensions simmer around the Strait of Hormuz.

Hegseth described Project Freedom, an operation to guide commercial ships through the strait after Iranian attacks there on Monday, as a separate and "temporary" effort distinct from the broader military campaign.

Earlier Tuesday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the offensive operation known as Operation Epic Fury has concluded, with the U.S. now focused on Project Freedom. Rubio said Navy ships in the region would continue defending themselves, after U.S. destroyers protected two vessels transiting the strait.

President Trump said Tuesday night that the U.S. and Iran have made "Great Progress" toward a final agreement, adding that he made the decision to adjust operations at the request of Pakistan, which has helped mediate. Trump said a blockade would remain in full force even as Project Freedom's ship movements continue.

The United Arab Emirates said Iran launched a missile and drone attack against it for a second consecutive day Tuesday, after a Monday attack wounded at least three workers.

In Beijing, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi, that China was "deeply distressed" by the war and called for a "comprehensive ceasefire," saying a resumption of hostilities would be unacceptable. Araghchi said Iran would only accept "a fair and comprehensive agreement" to end the conflict.

Separately, a senior U.S. State Department official said Washington is pressing Iraq's incoming prime minister, Ali al-Zaidi, to take "concrete actions" against pro-Iran armed groups before the U.S. resumes financial and security support. The official said U.S. facilities in Iraq have suffered more than 600 attacks since the war began, though strikes have largely stopped since a ceasefire took hold.