US presses Project Freedom as Iran threatens war amid fears the fragile ceasefire will kick off again – and it emerges Tehran’s nuclear programme hardly affected
Iran has escalated fears a fragile ceasefire in the Gulf will end after warning: “We are just getting started” after clashes over the Strait of Hormuz.
Hours later the UAE was on high-alert over the possibility another set of missiles and deadly suicide drones had been fired towards it. The Iran warning emerged as leaked US intelligence assessments claim limited damage has been imposed by the US and Israel on Iran’s nuclear program.
The threat from Tehran’s parliamentary speaker Mohammad Ghalibaf came after cruise missiles targeted the UAE and Iranian gunboats were hit on Monday.
Ghalibaf warned: “The new equation in the Strait of Hormuz is being solidified. Shipping security and energy transit have been jeopardised by the US and its allies with the ceasefire violations and blockade.
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“However, their evil acts will fail. We know well that the continuation of the status quo is intolerable for America, while we are just getting started.”
Tehran has slammed US claims a new US mission called Project Freedom – aimed at freeing hundreds of trade ships in the Strait of Hormuz – will open up the waterway.
The new slant on America’s mission is aimed at a departure from Operation Epic Fury, which targeted Iran’s military, its regime and its nuclear facilities.
US defence secretary Pete Hegseth hit back at critics of Project Freedom claiming the ceasefire “Is not over. This is about freedom of navigation. Only Iran is contesting.
“Right now the ceasefire holds and we are going to be watching very closely. To be clear this operation is separate from Operation Fury. Project Freedom is distinct. We are not looking for a fight.
“Iran is the clear aggressor, weaponising a critical chokepoint for its own financial benefit.” He confirmed two US commercial ships have cleared the Strait of Hormuz, out of an estimated 2,000 stranded in the Strait of Hormuz.
It happened as it emerged Iran fired a total of 12 ballistic missiles, three cruise missiles, and four attack drones at the United Arab Emirates on Monday. Most of the weapons were shot down but one strike caused a large fire and three injuries at its key oil port of Fujairah.
Seven boats were shot up by US forces in the Gulf on Monday. US military Joint Chiefs Chairman Dan Caine said the safety corridor in the key waterway for oil and gas transport involves guided-missile destroyers, more than 100 aircraft and 15,000 service members.
U.S. Central Command said Iran earlier launched multiple cruise missiles, drones and small boats at civilian ships under the U.S. military’s protection, and that U.S. helicopters sank six small boats involved in the attacks. It denied Iranian reports that American vessels had been struck.
Iran has denounced the American moves as ceasefire violations. Mr Hegseth was asked about intelligence reports showing that, despite the initial bombing in Operation Midnight Hammer, the timeline for Iranian nuclear weapon development remained at 9 to 12 months.
The reports suggest Iran would still require roughly nine months to a year to produce a nuclear weapon if its leadership chose to pursue one. That estimate mirrors conclusions reached after earlier U.S. and Israeli strikes in mid-2025.
According to sources, the relatively unchanged timeline reflects the strategic focus of recent U.S. operations. While Israel has conducted strikes on some nuclear-related facilities, American forces have largely targeted conventional military infrastructure, including air defences, weapons production sites and elements of Iran’s defense-industrial base.
Hegseth said: “The obliteration of those facilities set back their program. Hopefully Iran chooses a deal that they give up those ambitions, give up those capabilities.”
Iran’s latest proposal for ending the war calls for the U.S. to lift sanctions, end the blockade, withdraw forces from the region and cease all hostilities including Israel’s operations in Lebanon.
