Sec. Hegseth: Iran’s Attempt at International Extortion Ends with Project Freedom

EXCERPT:

HEGSETH: “We’re not looking for a fight, but Iran also cannot be allowed to block innocent countries and their goods from an international waterway. Iran is the clear aggressor, harassing civilian vessels, threatening mariners from every nation indiscriminately, and weaponizing a critical choke point for its own financial benefit, at least trying to. For too long, Iran has been harassing ships, shooting at civilian tankers from all nations, and trying to impose a tolling system. Iran’s plan, a form of international extortion, is unacceptable. That ends with Project Freedom.”