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US Secretary of State Marco Rubio described US military action against Iran during the ceasefire as a defensive operation, stressing that US forces will not launch attacks without provocation.
"This is not an offensive operation. This is a defensive operation. That means very simply: No shooting unless we are shot first," Rubio declared from the White House.
He added that any threat to the ships would receive an immediate response from the US. "You will not allow any speedboat to come to the ship and shoot it. We will respond. And we have been successful," he said.
Rubio also introduced the "Project Freedom" initiative, which aims to ensure the passage of commercial ships through the Strait of Hormuz, describing it as "a protective bubble" and the "first step" towards the full reopening of this strategic waterway.
"This is the first step towards reopening the strait and puts an end to this regime's recent active economic arson," he said.
Defending sanctions and the naval blockade on Iran, Rubio argued that the measures are necessary to protect global trade and civilian transportation.
"Nations from all over the world - the vast majority of which are not even involved in any military hostilities - are now at risk, not only of losing their cargo, but also the lives of their citizens because of this blockade," he declared.
He also said that ships stranded in the region are facing increasingly difficult conditions.
"These ships... They start to run out of food. They start to run out of drinking water, essential supplies, and they are at the mercy of this piracy," Rubio added.
According to him, the situation has taken on humanitarian and economic dimensions that affect countries beyond the direct conflict.
"Many nations have asked the United States to help release their ships and restore freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and this critical artery of global trade," he said.
In conclusion, Rubio stressed that the US will not allow Iran to control this vital waterway. "The Iranian regime cannot be allowed to dictate who uses this vital waterway," he declared.
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